A client who does not understand English requires an interpreter. Which action by the student nurse may exacerbate health disparities?

A client who does not understand English requires an interpreter. Which action by the student nurse may exacerbate health disparities?

• A. The student talks only to the interpreter about the client.
• B. The student speaks directly with the client using simplified language.
• C. The student uses professional medical interpreters and includes the client in the conversation.
• D. The student avoids using an interpreter.

Answer: (A)

Effective communication with patients who have limited English proficiency relies on including the patient in the conversation and using an interpreter to bridge language barriers. When a nurse talks only to the interpreter about the client, the patient is excluded from the dialogue. This can undermine the patient’s understanding, autonomy, and ability to participate in informed decisions, and it can erode trust. It tends to widen health disparities because important preferences, concerns, and cultural values may not be clearly captured in the conversation. The best approach is to speak directly to the client in plain, nontechnical language, while using a professional medical interpreter to facilitate accurate transmission of information. This keeps the patient at the center of the interaction, ensures comprehension, and supports shared decision-making. The interpreter’s role is to translate, not to replace the patient in the dialogue. Including the client in the discussion and confirming understanding helps reduce disparities rather than widen them. Choosing to avoid using an interpreter or to ignore the client’s direct involvement would further hinder understanding and access to appropriate care, reinforcing unequal treatment.

Effective communication with patients who have limited English proficiency relies on including the patient in the conversation and using an interpreter to bridge language barriers. When a nurse talks only to the interpreter about the client, the patient is excluded from the dialogue. This can undermine the patient’s understanding, autonomy, and ability to participate in informed decisions, and it can erode trust. It tends to widen health disparities because important preferences, concerns, and cultural values may not be clearly captured in the conversation.

The best approach is to speak directly to the client in plain, nontechnical language, while using a professional medical interpreter to facilitate accurate transmission of information. This keeps the patient at the center of the interaction, ensures comprehension, and supports shared decision-making. The interpreter’s role is to translate, not to replace the patient in the dialogue. Including the client in the discussion and confirming understanding helps reduce disparities rather than widen them.

Choosing to avoid using an interpreter or to ignore the client’s direct involvement would further hinder understanding and access to appropriate care, reinforcing unequal treatment.