Medical and Scientific Translation Flashcards
7 cards from real ATA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical and Scientific Translation flashcards as text
What is the primary challenge when translating medical informed consent forms?
Answer: Balancing medical accuracy with patient comprehension at an appropriate reading level
Informed consent forms must be medically accurate yet comprehensible to non-specialist patients, typically written at a 6th–8th grade reading level.
Which reference is widely regarded as the most authoritative source for standardized medical terminology used by healthcare professionals and translators?
Answer: Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary is widely regarded as the definitive reference for medical terminology used by healthcare professionals and translators.
When translating International Nonproprietary Names (INN) of pharmaceutical drugs, what is the correct approach?
Answer: Keep the INN in its original internationally standardized form
INNs are internationally standardized drug names established by the WHO and should be kept in their original form regardless of target language.
What does the Latin abbreviation 'q.d.' mean in a medical prescription context?
Answer: Once daily
'q.d.' is derived from the Latin 'quaque die,' meaning every day or once daily.
Which type of medical document carries the highest regulatory scrutiny in translation, requiring certified accuracy?
Answer: Clinical trial protocols and regulatory submissions
Clinical trial protocols and regulatory submissions (such as those submitted to the FDA) undergo rigorous review and require certified translation with the highest accuracy standards.
What is the recommended approach when a medical term has no established equivalent in the target language?
Answer: Coin a neologism following established morphological patterns and add an explanatory note
When no established equivalent exists, translators may create a neologism following established word-formation patterns while adding a footnote or parenthetical explanation for clarity.
For scientific documents prepared for a US audience, how should SI metric units generally be handled?
Answer: Include both SI units and US customary equivalents in parentheses where relevant
For US scientific or clinical audiences, best practice often involves providing both the SI metric value and a US customary equivalent to serve readers unfamiliar with one system.