Question

A medical assistant is checking in a patient who does not speak the same language as the assistant. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

1) Use a translation app to communicate with the patient
2) Find a colleague who speaks the patient's language to assist
3) Attempt to communicate using gestures and non-verbal cues
4) Ignore the language barrier and proceed with the check-in process

Answer 1

A medical assistant should use a translation app or find a colleague who speaks the patient's language to assist in communicating with a patient who does not speak the same language. Using gestures and non-verbal cues can also be attempted, but may be less effective.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant is checking in a patient who does not speak the same language, there are several actions that the assistant can take to communicate effectively. The best course of action would be to use a translation app to communicate with the patient. This allows for accurate communication without the need for an interpreter.

Additionally, if a colleague who speaks the patient's language is available, they can be asked to assist in the communication process. This can help to ensure clear understanding between the assistant and the patient.

If a translation app or a colleague who speaks the language is not available, the assistant can attempt to use gestures and non-verbal cues to communicate basic information. However, it is important to note that this may be limited in its effectiveness and may not fully convey important details.