CCHI Cultural Competency and Sensitivity Flashcards

A Hmong patient refuses a blood draw, stating that blood is a life force and removing it weakens the spirit. The interpreter should:

Answer: Accurately interpret the patient's concern and allow the provider to address it clinically

The interpreter's role is to faithfully convey the patient's beliefs so the provider can negotiate care without the interpreter taking sides.

Which term describes the process by which immigrants gradually adopt the cultural norms of the host country while potentially losing elements of their native culture?

Answer: Acculturation

Acculturation refers to cultural change that occurs when a person adapts to a new culture, which may be partial or full, and does not necessarily mean complete loss of original culture.

A male Orthodox Jewish patient refuses to have a female interpreter present during his examination. The healthcare facility should:

Answer: Make reasonable accommodations to provide a male interpreter when possible

Healthcare organizations should make reasonable efforts to accommodate religious and cultural preferences, including interpreter gender, when feasible.

During a mental health intake, a Southeast Asian patient says she suffers from 'nerves' and 'heart distress.' The culturally competent interpreter should:

Answer: Translate the terms literally and note they are idiomatic cultural expressions

Idioms of distress are culturally specific expressions of suffering that the interpreter should convey literally while noting their cultural context so the clinician can explore further.

A provider asks the interpreter to explain to a Latino patient why 'folk remedies don't work.' The interpreter should:

Answer: Interpret the provider's message faithfully without editorializing, and if concerned, address it after the session

The interpreter should render the message accurately; if the statement seems culturally insensitive, the appropriate response is to raise concerns with the provider after the encounter, not alter the message mid-session.

Which of the following best illustrates 'cultural humility' as distinguished from cultural competence?

Answer: Maintaining an ongoing, self-reflective practice of learning and openness to each patient's unique cultural context

Cultural humility emphasizes lifelong self-reflection and patient-centered learning, recognizing that no fixed body of knowledge can capture every individual's experience.

A Native American patient declines to discuss his health history in front of family members present in the room, contrary to usual family-centered communication patterns. The interpreter should:

Answer: Respect the patient's stated preference and interpret accordingly without imposing cultural generalizations

Cultural generalizations should never override individual patient preferences; the interpreter must respect the individual and not impose group-level cultural assumptions.