Patient interview

How to interview a patient with anxiety

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPANursing (NCLEX)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Anxiety disorders are common. The interview separates normal worry from a disorder and rules out medical causes.

Step by step

  1. Introduce yourself and stay calm

    Slow pace, open questions. [1]

  2. Symptoms

    Worry, restlessness, tension, racing heart, breathlessness, sweating. [2]

  3. Pattern

    Constant worry, sudden panic attacks, specific fears, social situations. [3]

  4. Impact

    Avoidance, work, sleep, relationships. [3]

  5. Medical causes

    Thyroid, caffeine, stimulants, alcohol withdrawal, heart rhythm problems. [3]

  6. Mood and safety

    Depression and suicidal thoughts often come with anxiety. [2]

  7. Summarize and plan

    Explain treatment options. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  2. NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
  3. NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
  4. NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations

Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.