NBCMI Standards of Practice Application 4

Question 1

During a session, the provider uses the idiom "you're out of the woods" and you are unsure whether the patient's language has an equivalent expression. According to the NCIHC accuracy standard, what is the best approach?

Accepted Answer

Convey the meaning (the danger has passed) rather than translating the idiom word for word

Answer

Accuracy means keeping the meaning of the message, so an idiom with no equivalent should be rendered by its meaning, not its literal words.

Question 2

A patient tells the interpreter, "Don't tell the doctor, but I stopped taking my blood pressure pills." What should the interpreter do?

Accepted Answer

Remind the patient that everything said will be interpreted, then interpret the statement to the provider

Answer

Interpreters keep information confidential from outside parties, not from the care team, and must interpret everything said within the encounter.

Question 3

An interpreter realizes partway through a session that they misinterpreted a dosage instruction a few minutes earlier. What does the standard of practice require?

Accepted Answer

Correct the error right away and tell all parties that a correction is being made

Answer

NCIHC accuracy standards require interpreters to correct their own errors as soon as they notice them, out of concern for patient safety.

Question 4

The provider says something the interpreter thinks is condescending toward the patient. Under the impartiality principle, the interpreter should:

Accepted Answer

Interpret the message faithfully, keeping its tone and register

Answer

Impartiality and accuracy require conveying the register and tone of the message without editorializing or softening it.

Question 5

A patient keeps glancing toward the interpreter and speaking to them directly instead of to the doctor. Which strategy best supports direct communication between patient and provider?

Accepted Answer

Interpret in the first person and use body positioning that encourages the patient to address the provider

Answer

Using the first person and positioning yourself well are standard techniques for encouraging direct patient-provider communication.

NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Practice Test

NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Practice Test

NBCMI Standards of Practice Application 4