Question

The nurse is planning to discharge a 24-year-old gravida 1, para 1, non-English-speaking Hispanic client. The client's English-speaking cousin is acting as a translator for the nurse and client. Which nursing intervention takes priority?

a) Provide written instructions in English and Spanish
b) Confirm the cousin's ability to accurately translate medical information
c) Schedule a follow-up appointment with a Spanish-speaking healthcare provider
d) Use non-verbal communication to convey essential information

Answer 1

The priority nursing intervention when discharging a non-English-speaking client with a translator present is to confirm the translator's ability to accurately convey medical information. After this, written instructions in both languages and scheduling follow-up care with a Spanish-speaking provider can support the patient's comprehension and follow-up care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves a nursing scenario where a 24-year-old non-English-speaking Hispanic client is about to be discharged and the nursing intervention that takes priority must be determined. The cousin is acting as a translator, but the priority nursing intervention is to confirm the cousin's ability to accurately translate medical information. It is essential to ensure that the client fully understands her discharge instructions and any follow-up care needed, so verification of accurate translation is crucial. Providing written instructions is also important, but it should be done after confirming that the translation can be trusted.

Following this, the nurse should also provide written instructions in both English and Spanish (a), schedule a follow-up appointment with a Spanish-speaking healthcare provider (c), and might use non-verbal communication to convey essential information (d) as these actions can help reinforce understanding and ensure continuity of care.