Ethical & Professional Decision-Making Flashcards

An interpreter is asked by a healthcare provider to explain the Deaf consumer's medical history without the consumer present. What is correct?

Answer: Decline, as sharing consumer information without consent violates confidentiality

Confidentiality requires that interpreters not disclose any information about consumers outside the interpreted interaction.

A Deaf-Blind consumer requests a protactile interpreter, but only a visual ASL interpreter is available. What should the agency do?

Answer: Inform the consumer and seek a qualified protactile interpreter or reschedule

Providing an interpreter without the specific competency needed for a Deaf-Blind consumer fails to meet the consumer's communication needs.

An interpreter is emotionally affected by graphic testimony in a court case. What is the professional response?

Answer: Request a brief break if needed and use self-care strategies; discuss with the team interpreter

Interpreters must manage vicarious trauma proactively; requesting a break and debriefing with a team partner are recognized professional responses.

A new interpreter's agency assigns them to interpret a highly technical medical procedure they have not prepared for. What is the ethical obligation?

Answer: Disclose their limited preparation and ask for preparation time or a more qualified interpreter

Professional ethics require interpreters to work only within their competence and to be transparent when an assignment exceeds their preparation.

A hearing consumer in a business meeting continuously speaks to the interpreter rather than the Deaf participant. What should the interpreter do?

Answer: Redirect the hearing consumer to address the Deaf participant directly

Interpreters can briefly and professionally redirect parties to communicate with each other, supporting direct interaction.

Under the CASLI Code of Ethics, what does 'professional discretion' primarily require of an interpreter?

Answer: Exercising sound judgment about what information to disclose and to whom

Professional discretion means using judgment to protect consumer privacy and uphold professional standards in all contexts.

An interpreter is approached after an assignment by a journalist who observed the session and wants a comment. What is the appropriate response?

Answer: Decline to comment and protect the confidentiality of the assignment

Confidentiality obligations extend beyond the assignment; interpreters must not discuss session content with outside parties.