Question

What action should the medical assistant take when checking in on a patient who has hearing loss?

a) Speak loudly to ensure the patient can hear
b) Use medical jargon to communicate effectively
c) Face the patient and speak clearly, using visual aids if necessary
d) Assume the patient can lip-read and avoid verbal communication

Answer 1

A medical assistant should face the patient with hearing loss and speak slowly and clearly, using visual aids if necessary. Speaking loudly is not recommended, and medical jargon should be avoided. Combining verbal and non-verbal communication is essential for clear comprehension.

Step-by-step explanation:

Communicating with a Patient Who Has Hearing Loss

When encountering a patient with hearing loss, a medical assistant should speak slowly and clearly, directly facing the patient. This ensures that any speech reading (lip-reading) or visual cues are easily seen. Additionally, using visual aids is beneficial to assist in the communication process. It is also important to be patient and check for understanding to make sure that the patient is following the conversation. Shouting or speaking loudly is not recommended as it may not be effective and can be perceived as disrespectful. Instead, the medical assistant should focus on clear enunciation and the patient's comfort.

Using medical jargon can confuse the patient, so it is better to use simple language and avoid complex terminologies. The assumption that all patients with hearing loss can lip-read is incorrect, so verbal communication should not be avoided; instead, verbal and non-verbal communication cues should be combined.