The respiratory therapist may choose to use the patient interview technique of silence in which of the following situations?

a. To prompt the patient to ask a question
b. After a direct question
c. After an open-ended question
d. To allow the patient to review his or her history

C
After a patient has answered an open-ended question, the respiratory therapist should pause (use silence) before asking the next question. This pause allows the patient to add something else before moving on. The patient may also choose to ask a question.