CASLI Ethical & Professional Decision-Making 3

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Decline, as sharing consumer information without consent violates confidentiality

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Inform the consumer and seek a qualified protactile interpreter or reschedule

Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Redirect the hearing consumer to address the Deaf participant directly

Answer

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

(CASLI) Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation Practice Test