When a client has limited English proficiency, the nurse should:

When a client has limited English proficiency, the nurse should:

• A. get an interpreter.
• B. see whether another nurse will work with client.
• C. see what's on the Internet.
• D. try to communicate with hand gestures.

Answer: (A)

Clear communication with patients who have limited English proficiency is essential for accurate assessment, informed consent, and safe care. A professional interpreter provides exact translation of information, asks clarifying questions, and confirms that the patient understands diagnoses, treatment options, risks, and instructions. Using a trained interpreter preserves confidentiality, reduces the risk of misinterpretation, and helps ensure accuracy in medication instructions, consent, and discharge planning. Family members or casual staff can unintentionally introduce bias, omit details, or fail to translate medical terminology properly, which can compromise safety and autonomy. If a professional interpreter isn’t immediately available, tele- or video-interpretation services should be used rather than relying on nonprofessional sources or improvising with hand gestures, which can lead to misunderstanding. Always use plain language, and verify understanding with teach-back. In short, engaging a professional interpreter best supports accurate communication, patient understanding, and safe, ethical care.

Clear communication with patients who have limited English proficiency is essential for accurate assessment, informed consent, and safe care. A professional interpreter provides exact translation of information, asks clarifying questions, and confirms that the patient understands diagnoses, treatment options, risks, and instructions.

Using a trained interpreter preserves confidentiality, reduces the risk of misinterpretation, and helps ensure accuracy in medication instructions, consent, and discharge planning. Family members or casual staff can unintentionally introduce bias, omit details, or fail to translate medical terminology properly, which can compromise safety and autonomy. If a professional interpreter isn’t immediately available, tele- or video-interpretation services should be used rather than relying on nonprofessional sources or improvising with hand gestures, which can lead to misunderstanding. Always use plain language, and verify understanding with teach-back.

In short, engaging a professional interpreter best supports accurate communication, patient understanding, and safe, ethical care.