The interview question bank
133 real interview questions for medical, PA, dental and other health programs, with sample answer outlines for 48 of them. Filter, open an answer, then practice it out loud.
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DO · Autonomy and consent · Intermediate6
Clear filters- Practice this question nowEthicsIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
A Jehovah's Witness patient refuses a blood transfusion they need to survive. What do you do?
Autonomy and consent · Cultural humility · Communication
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Sample answer outline
- A competent adult can refuse even life-saving treatment. Your job is to make sure the refusal is informed, voluntary and consistent with their values.
- Talk with them privately to check for pressure from family or community.
- Explore what they will accept: bloodless surgery techniques, cell salvage, iron, medicines that boost blood production.
- Document the conversation and their decision clearly, and keep caring for them fully.
- Note how it differs for a child or for an unconscious patient without an advance directive.
What makes it work
- It respects autonomy while doing everything else possible.
- Showing the contrast with a child proves you understand the limits.
Avoid
- Trying to persuade them out of their faith.
- Treating the refusal as a reason to step back from their care.
- Practice this question nowEthicsIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA
A family begs you not to tell their grandmother she has cancer because "it'll kill her faster." What do you do?
Autonomy and consent · Cultural humility · Communication
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Sample answer outline
- Listen to the family first: their fear and any cultural norms around sharing bad news.
- Explain that the information belongs to the patient, and that you won't lie to her.
- Ask the grandmother how much she wants to know and who she wants involved. Some people choose to let family decide.
- Share news at her pace, with the family present if she wishes, and plan support together.
What makes it work
- Asking the patient what she wants resolves the dilemma respectfully.
- It honors culture without giving up honesty.
Avoid
- Telling her bluntly against the family's wishes without asking her first.
- Practice this question nowRole-playIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
Role-play: Your patient, played by an actor, refuses a procedure you have recommended. Talk with them.
Autonomy and consent · Communication · Empathy
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How to approach role-play questions
- Talk to the actor directly, as if it were real. Don't narrate what you would do.
- Introduce yourself and find out what they know and feel before giving information.
- Name emotions out loud, then share information in small pieces.
- Agree on a next step before time runs out.
We haven't written a sample answer for this one yet. Practice it out loud and the AI interviewer gives you feedback on your own answer.
- Practice this question nowPolicyIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency, Pharmacy
Should vaccination be mandatory for health care workers?
Autonomy and consent · Patient safety · Health systems
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How to approach policy and current issues questions
- Define the issue in one sentence so you and the interviewer agree on terms.
- Give the strongest arguments on both sides, with one fact you are sure of.
- Take a clear position and name its tradeoffs.
- Bring it back to patients and your future role.
We haven't written a sample answer for this one yet. Practice it out loud and the AI interviewer gives you feedback on your own answer.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station PA, MD, DO, Nursing
A patient's family member keeps answering questions for the patient during your assessment. The patient seems hesitant to speak up. How do you handle this?
Communication · Autonomy and consent · Patient safety
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How to approach situational questions
- Start with safety: is anyone at risk right now?
- Gather information before judging anyone involved.
- Act in proportion: a private conversation first, escalation when needed.
- Close the loop: follow up, document and reflect.
We haven't written a sample answer for this one yet. Practice it out loud and the AI interviewer gives you feedback on your own answer.
- Practice this question nowEthicsIntermediateMMI station Nursing, PA, MD, DO
A patient confides they stopped taking prescribed medications due to religious beliefs, but asks you not to tell the physician. Their condition is worsening. How do you respond?
Confidentiality · Autonomy and consent · Patient safety
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How to approach ethical dilemma questions
- Clarify the facts and what you would want to know before acting.
- Name who is affected and the principles in tension: autonomy, doing good, avoiding harm, fairness, confidentiality.
- Walk through realistic options, starting with the least drastic.
- Choose a course of action, explain why, and say who you would involve.
We haven't written a sample answer for this one yet. Practice it out loud and the AI interviewer gives you feedback on your own answer.
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