Final answer:
The medical assistant should professionally respond to the derogatory e-mail by addressing the patient's concerns, and potentially forward it to a supervisor for further guidance. Ignoring or blocking the patient does not uphold professional standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where a medical assistant receives a derogatory e-mail from a dissatisfied patient, the most appropriate course of action is B) Respond to the email professionally and address the patient's concerns. It's crucial to maintain professionalism at all times, even when faced with negative feedback. The assistant should carefully read the email, offer a polite response acknowledging the reception of the patient's concerns, and either provide a solution or suggest a follow-up action, such as a meeting or a conversation with a superior if necessary. Ignoring the email (Option A) or blocking the email address (Option D) does not adhere to professional standards and could potentially escalate the situation or reflect poorly on the clinic's reputation. Forwarding the email to a supervisor (Option C) may also be warranted after responding, particularly if the issue raised requires managerial attention or if the assistant feels the need for further guidance on how to handle the situation.