NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Legislation and Regulations (HIPAA) Questions and Answers

Question 1

A medical interpreter works for an agency that provides services to a hospital. Under HIPAA, what is the legal term for the interpreter's role in relation to the hospital (the covered entity)?

Accepted Answer

Business Associate

Answer

Medical Designate

Answer

Ancillary Provider

Answer

Covered Affiliate

Question 2

Which of the following pieces of information, when linked to a patient's identity, is NOT considered Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

The name of the patient's employer

Answer

The patient's email address

Answer

A biometric identifier, such as a fingerprint

Answer

The patient's medical record number

Question 3

An interpreter is asked to sight translate a patient's entire medical chart to prepare for a complex upcoming appointment. Following the HIPAA 'Minimum Necessary' standard, what is the most appropriate action for the interpreter to take?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline and request to be briefed only on the information relevant to the upcoming appointment.

Answer

Read the entire chart to be fully prepared for any topic that might arise during the consultation.

Answer

Ask the patient directly for permission to review their entire medical history.

Answer

Review the chart but make a note to shred any personal notes immediately after the session.

Question 4

After an interpreting session, a medical interpreter is in the hospital cafeteria and is approached by a friend who is a nurse in a different department. The nurse asks, 'I saw you with Mr. Smith. Is his cancer back?' How must the interpreter respond to be compliant with HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

State, 'I cannot discuss any patient information due to confidentiality laws.'

Answer

Confirm the diagnosis but ask the nurse to keep it confidential.

Answer

Suggest the nurse look up the patient's information in the hospital's electronic health record system.

Answer

Say 'I don't know' even if the interpreter knows the answer.

Question 5

A patient tells an interpreter that they wish to obtain a copy of their medical records. What is the interpreter's most appropriate action according to patient rights under HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

Offer to help the patient find the right person or department to make their official request.

Answer

Personally request the records from the medical records department on the patient's behalf.

Answer

Tell the patient that interpreters are not allowed to be involved in such requests.

Answer

Translate the patient's verbal request directly to the nearest nurse or provider.

Question 6

Which of the following actions by a medical interpreter constitutes a potential HIPAA violation?

Accepted Answer

Using a personal, unencrypted email account to send a summary of an appointment to a colleague for advice.

Answer

Jotting down a complex medical term on a piece of paper to look up later, then immediately shredding it after the session.

Answer

Participating in a video remote interpreting (VRI) session from a private, secure room in their home.

Answer

Verbally sight-translating a consent form to a patient in a private examination room with the provider present.