Final answer:
Nurses should use professional interpretation services, non-verbal communication techniques, seek help from multilingual colleagues, and provide visually supported written instructions to communicate with patients who do not speak English.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient does not communicate in English, as a nurse, implementing effective communication strategies is crucial to provide quality care. The strategies include:
- Utilizing professional interpretation services to ensure accurate communication and understanding of medical information.
- Using basic non-verbal communication techniques like gestures for simple instructions or questions.
- Seeking assistance from multilingual colleagues who may communicate directly with the patient.
- Providing written instructions with visual aids to support understanding of care and procedures.
In a global society, it's essential for healthcare professionals to communicate in languages other than English to support diverse patient populations. Language proficiency and professional communication are key factors that assist healthcare providers in delivering effective patient care.