Question

If the patient is not fluent in English, the consent:

a) should be obtained using a certified medical interpreter
b) can be obtained using a bilingual relative
c) should be obtained without an interpreter
d) may be left unsigned

Answer 1

The consent should be obtained using a certified medical interpreter if the patient is not fluent in English. Using a bilingual relative may not be sufficient, and consent should not be obtained without an interpreter. The consent should never be left unsigned.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the patient is not fluent in English, the consent should be obtained using a certified medical interpreter. This is important to ensure that the patient fully understands the content of the consent form and can make an informed decision.

Using a bilingual relative may not be sufficient, as they may not have the necessary medical knowledge to accurately convey the information to the patient. The consent should not be obtained without an interpreter, as that would be a breach of the patient's rights and potentially result in uninformed decision-making.

Moreover, providing consent without an interpreter or leaving it unsigned is not acceptable as it violates the principles of informed consent which necessitates clear understanding and voluntary agreement.