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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- 48
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Situational · Intermediate16
Clear filtersA practical problem in school, clinic or work. What do you do next?
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station Most programs
You discover a classmate has a copy of the upcoming exam and is sharing it. What do you do?
Integrity · Professionalism
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Sample answer outline
- Don't look at it, and say so.
- Find out what you can without spreading it: is it really the exam, and how widely is it shared?
- Encourage the classmate to stop and come forward.
- Tell the course director either way. The exam's fairness affects everyone, and future patients depend on honest assessment.
- Stay fair: you're reporting facts, not judging the person.
What makes it work
- Links academic honesty to patient trust, the real stakes.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station, Traditional one-on-one PA
A patient specifically requests to see 'the doctor' and not 'just a PA.' How do you respond?
Communication · Professionalism
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Sample answer outline
- Stay calm and don't take it personally. Ask what's behind the request: a past experience, a specific worry.
- Explain your role briefly and confidently: your training, how you work with the physician, what you'll do today.
- Offer a path: you'll start the visit and involve the physician if needed, or arrange for them to see the doctor.
- Respect their choice if they still prefer the physician.
What makes it work
- Confidence without defensiveness builds trust.
- Putting the patient's comfort first is the professional move.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station PA
You're a PA in a rural clinic where you're often the only provider on site. A patient comes in with symptoms beyond your comfort level. How do you handle this?
Patient safety · Self-awareness
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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 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
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station Dental, Vet
A patient cannot afford the ideal treatment plan. How do you approach this situation?
Equity and access · Communication
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station, Traditional one-on-one Nursing, Pharmacy, PA
You notice a physician's orders seem incorrect for a patient. How do you handle this?
Patient safety · Communication · Teamwork
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Sample answer outline
- Don't carry out an order you believe is unsafe. Pause first.
- Check yourself: the chart, the medication reference, any recent changes in the patient's condition.
- Call the prescriber with a structured message (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) and ask directly.
- If you're still concerned, go up the chain: charge nurse, supervisor.
- Document the conversation and the outcome.
What makes it work
- Shows the nurse's role as a safety check, done respectfully.
- A clear escalation path, not a confrontation.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station Nursing
During a busy shift, you have one pain medication dose left and two patients in equal discomfort are requesting it. What do you do?
Critical thinking · Equity and access
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station Pharmacy
A physician is irritated when you call to question a prescription. How do you handle the call?
Communication · Patient safety · Teamwork
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station PT, OT
How would you handle an emergency if it occurred while you were assisting another patient?
Patient safety · Critical thinking
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station OT, PT
A client refuses to take part in a session. What might be going on, and what would you do?
Empathy · Autonomy and consent · Communication
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station OT
A client's cultural or religious practices affect how they want to do a daily activity. How would you respond?
Cultural humility · Autonomy and consent
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station Vet
What actions would you take if there were signs that an animal you're treating is being abused?
Integrity · Communication
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
You overhear a resident making an inappropriate joke about a patient. What do you do in the moment?
Professionalism · Integrity
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Sample answer outline
- Check whether the patient or family could hear. If so, protect their dignity first.
- In the moment, a light redirect can work without humiliating anyone: "Let's keep it professional out here."
- Afterward, if you feel safe, talk to the resident privately and explain the impact.
- If it's a pattern or severe, use the program's reporting channel. As a student, involve a trusted supervisor.
- Acknowledge the power gap honestly; speaking up as a junior takes judgment and courage.
What makes it work
- Graded responses fit the situation instead of an all-or-nothing answer.
- Recognizing the hierarchy makes the answer realistic.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateTraditional one-on-one, MMI station Most programs
What would you do to build trust quickly with patients from communities that have been mistreated by health care?
Equity and access · Cultural humility · Communication
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
Your preceptor routinely interrupts patients mid-story. How would you respond?
Communication · Professionalism
How to approach itHide
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 nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Pharmacy
How would you counsel a vaccine-hesitant parent who distrusts the health care system?
Communication · Cultural humility · Empathy
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Sample answer outline
- Open with curiosity, not facts: "What have you heard, and what worries you most?"
- Acknowledge the distrust honestly. For some communities it's rooted in real history.
- Share information matched to their specific concern, in plain language, and admit what is uncertain.
- Make your recommendation clearly, as their child's clinician.
- Respect that they may need time. Keep the door open and offer a follow-up visit.
What makes it work
- Listening first is what actually changes minds.
- A clear recommendation without pressure keeps trust.
Avoid
- Lecturing with statistics in the first minute.
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