Question

A nurse is discharging a patient who primarily speaks German. Which action(s) should the nurse take to communicate effectively with the patient?

1) Contact interpreter services to interpret discharge instructions to the patient.
2) Provide discharge instructions for the patient that are written in German.
3) Ask the patient to repeat the discharge instructions back to the interpreter as he understands them.
4) Forego the interpreter because you are just showing him how to change a dressing.
5) Give the patient discharge instructions that are written in English.

Answer 1

To communicate effectively with a German-speaking patient during discharge, the nurse should contact interpreter services, provide written instructions in German, and verify the patient's understanding.

Step-by-step explanation:

To effectively communicate with a German-speaking patient during discharge, the nurse should take the following actions:

1. Contact interpreter services to interpret the discharge instructions to the patient in German. This ensures accurate understanding of the information.
2. Provide discharge instructions that are written in German. This allows the patient to refer to the written instructions as needed.
3. Ask the patient to repeat the discharge instructions back to the nurse/interpreter to verify understanding. This helps ensure that the patient comprehends the information correctly.

Ignoring interpreter services or giving instructions in English may lead to misunderstandings and potential harm to the patient.