The respiratory therapist is conducting a patient interview and recording responses in the patient's electronic health record

The respiratory therapist should take which of the following into account regarding the use of the computer to record responses?
a. The therapist's attention may be shifted from the patient to the computer.
b. The patient will feel more important than if the information is recorded on paper.
c. The therapist will be less likely to make spelling errors if using a spell-check program.
d. The environment will be more professional and the patient will be more likely to open up if the interview is conducted with paper.

A
The therapist's use of the computer can be threatening and may, in some cases, be a potential hazard to good patient communication. The patient can be intimidated to the point of "shutting down." In addition, the therapist who has to shift focus from the patient to the computer can miss important verbal and nonverbal messages.