Professional Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real NIC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics flashcards as text
During a mental health session, an interpreter becomes emotionally overwhelmed by the content being discussed. What is the most ethical course of action?
Answer: Signal the therapist for a break and step out briefly if needed
Interpreters should practice self-care and may request brief breaks, but should communicate professionally with the provider.
Which of the following best describes 'role boundaries' for a certified interpreter?
Answer: Avoiding tasks outside the interpreting function such as counseling or advocacy
Role boundaries mean interpreters do not take on functions such as advocacy, counseling, or case management during assignments.
An interpreter realizes mid-assignment that they have a conflict of interest with one of the parties. What is the ethical obligation?
Answer: Disclose the conflict and withdraw if necessary
Interpreters must disclose potential conflicts and withdraw from assignments where impartiality cannot be maintained.
A Deaf student requests that the interpreter use a more casual, informal register during class to feel more comfortable. The interpreter should:
Answer: Use a register appropriate to the educational setting and consider the request
Interpreters adapt register to match the setting and speaker intent, balancing consumer preferences with contextual norms.
What is the primary reason the NIC Code of Professional Conduct prohibits interpreters from engaging in fraudulent practices?
Answer: To maintain public trust and the integrity of the profession
Professional integrity and public trust are foundational to a sustainable and respected interpreting profession.
An interpreter working at a hospital is asked by a nurse to complete a patient intake form on behalf of the Deaf patient. The interpreter should:
Answer: Decline and interpret the interaction so the patient can complete it themselves
Filling out forms on a patient's behalf exceeds the interpreter's role and may compromise patient autonomy and accuracy.
If a hearing consumer gives an interpreter a gift after a successful assignment, the most appropriate response is to:
Answer: Politely decline or return the gift to maintain professional boundaries
Accepting gifts can compromise impartiality and professional boundaries, so interpreters generally decline them.
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