Breaking Bad News Quiz

Which of the following abbreviations represent an effective way to structure a Breaking Bad news consultation?

• SPIKES

• SMART

• STUDS

• SPADES

What does the 'S' stand for in SPIKES?

• Support

• Sympathy

• Situation

• Setting

What features of a breaking bad news consultation should apply?

• Be vague and avoid the key findings so the person doesn't get too upset

• Use medical jargon so it looks like you know what you are talking about

• Provide an explanation of the findings clearly and using simple language

• Have no management plan as this will be addressed at another appointment

Which of the following scenarios could you apply the SPIKES structure to?

Select all that apply.

• Conveying a positive result for a sexually transmitted infection

• Conveying that the treatment for Bacterial Endocarditis is not working

• Conveying there has been a deterioration in renal function (now stage 4)

• Conveying that a patient has a new diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The patient who is about to receive the bad news cannot bring a family member into the consultation with them.

True or False?

• True

• False