Complex Ethical Scenarios (Questions 1-25)
Question 1: During a prenatal visit, a teenager whispers to you: "I'm using drugs but my mom doesn't know." The mother is in the room. You should: a) Keep this confidential between you and the teen b) Interpret this immediately as it was said during the medical encounter c) Suggest the teen speak to the doctor privately d) Tell the mother after the appointment
Answer: B - Everything said during medical encounters must be interpreted, regardless of how it's communicated.
Question 2: A psychiatric patient becomes agitated and threatens: "I'll hurt anyone who tries to keep me here." The psychiatrist hasn't heard this. You should: a) Alert security immediately b) Interpret the threat to the psychiatrist c) Try to calm the patient first d) Step out of the room for safety
Answer: B - Safety threats must be interpreted immediately to the healthcare provider who can take appropriate action.
Question 3: While interpreting, you realize the provider is explaining the wrong procedure based on patient mix-up. You should: a) Continue interpreting and let them discover the error b) Interrupt immediately to point out the potential error c) Wait until the end to mention your concern d) Tell the patient directly about the mix-up
Answer: B - Patient safety overrides normal non-intervention when serious errors are apparent.
Question 4: A dying patient asks you to pray with them in their language while the medical team steps out. You should: a) Pray briefly to provide comfort b) Explain you cannot participate in religious activities while working c) Find a chaplain who speaks their language d) Pretend to pray to make them feel better
Answer: B - Professional boundaries must be maintained even in emotionally difficult situations.
Question 5: During a mental health session, the therapist steps out. The patient says: "I lied about the suicide attempt. I really tried." You should: a) Keep this confidential until the therapist returns b) Find the therapist immediately c) Document this for later d) Encourage the patient to tell the truth
Answer: B - Suicide-related disclosures require immediate action regardless of when they occur.
Question 6: A provider consistently uses racist language when referring to certain patient populations. You should: a) Refuse to interpret the offensive language b) Interpret accurately and report through appropriate channels c) Modify the language to be less offensive d) Confront the provider directly
Answer: B - Interpret accurately while using institutional channels to address professional conduct issues.
Question 7: An elderly patient's adult children are arguing about treatment decisions in their language, assuming you don't understand. They discuss withholding information from their parent. You should: a) Pretend not to understand b) Interpret the conversation to the provider c) Confront the children about their plan d) Warn the patient privately
Answer: B - All medical-setting communications in understood languages should be interpreted.
Question 8: You're interpreting for a refugee who reveals they gave false information on immigration forms. This is affecting their medical history. You should: a) Advise them to correct the information b) Interpret only the medical information c) Interpret exactly what was said d) Report to immigration authorities
Answer: C - Interpret completely without selecting information or taking action outside your role.
Question 9: A patient asks you to help fill out disability forms, saying: "You understand my condition better than I can explain." You should: a) Help with basic translation only b) Decline and explain your role limitations c) Fill out medical sections based on what you've interpreted d) Find someone else to help
Answer: B - Document completion exceeds interpreter boundaries even when patients struggle with forms.
Question 10: During a pediatric exam, you notice suspicious bruises the doctor hasn't seen. The parent seems nervous. You should: a) Point out the bruises to the doctor b) Ask the parent about the bruises c) Continue interpreting only d) Report suspected abuse directly
Answer: A - Potential child safety issues warrant bringing medical findings to provider attention.
Question 11: A patient confides they're selling their pain medication but begs you not to interpret this. You should: a) Respect their privacy b) Inform them you must interpret everything and then do so c) Tell the doctor privately d) Refuse to continue interpreting
Answer: B - Transparency about interpreter role followed by complete interpretation maintains professional standards.
Question 12: You're asked to interpret for your ex-spouse's new partner. You should: a) Proceed professionally b) Disclose the potential conflict c) Refuse without explanation d) Ask someone else to take the assignment
Answer: B - Personal relationships that could affect impartiality must be disclosed.
Question 13: A provider asks you to "summarize the main points" of a long patient narrative about symptoms. You should: a) Provide a helpful summary b) Explain you must interpret completely c) Summarize but note what you left out d) Ask the patient to be more concise
Answer: B - Complete interpretation is required; providers must manage time constraints differently.
Question 14: During family planning counseling, the husband forbids his wife to use birth control. She looks distressed but says nothing. You should: a) Ask if she wants to speak privately b) Interpret only what is said c) Suggest couple's counseling d) Note her nonverbal distress to the provider
Answer: D - Significant nonverbal communication affecting medical care can be noted professionally.
Question 15: A patient asks you to recommend herbs from your shared culture for their condition. You should: a) Share general cultural knowledge b) Decline and suggest they discuss with provider c) Recommend what helped you d) Provide written information later
Answer: B - Medical recommendations, even cultural remedies, exceed interpreter scope.
Question 16: You overhear nurses discussing a patient you interpreted for yesterday, revealing confidential information. You should: a) Join the conversation to correct misinformation b) Report the privacy breach through appropriate channels c) Ignore it as it's not during your assignment d) Tell the patient about the breach
Answer: B - Privacy violations should be reported through proper channels regardless of when observed.
Question 17: A psychiatric patient makes sexual advances toward you during the session. You should: a) Ignore and continue interpreting b) Address it directly with the patient c) Interpret this behavior to the provider d) End the session immediately
Answer: C - Clinically relevant behavior should be interpreted to the provider for appropriate intervention.
Question 18: A provider asks you to stay late unpaid to interpret for an emergency. You should: a) Always prioritize patient needs b) Negotiate appropriate compensation c) Refuse unless paid d) Stay but complain later
Answer: B - Professional services deserve fair compensation while considering emergency situations.
Question 19: You suspect a patient is malingering based on inconsistent symptom descriptions. You should: a) Point out the inconsistencies b) Interpret exactly as stated c) Alert the provider privately d) Test the patient with questions
Answer: B - Interpret accurately without inserting personal assessments or judgments.
Question 20: A patient gifts you traditional food, saying refusal would be deeply offensive. You should: a) Accept graciously b) Accept but donate it c) Explain gift policies respectfully d) Take it but report later
Answer: C - Professional policies can be explained culturally sensitively without accepting inappropriate gifts.
Question 21: During surgery consent, the patient seems confused but keeps agreeing. The surgeon appears rushed. You should: a) Stop and clarify understanding b) Continue interpreting as long as patient agrees c) Note apparent confusion to the surgeon d) Explain more clearly yourself
Answer: C - Patient comprehension issues affecting informed consent must be communicated.
Question 22: A provider makes an obvious medication error in dosage. You should: a) Interpret the error exactly b) Correct the dosage while interpreting c) Ask for clarification about the dosage d) Tell the patient the correct dose
Answer:...
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