NIC Professional Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a mental health session, an interpreter becomes emotionally overwhelmed by the content being discussed. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue interpreting and process emotions after the session
- Stop mid-session and leave the room
- Ask the therapist to change the topic
- Signal the therapist for a break and step out briefly if needed (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'role boundaries' for a certified interpreter?
- Limiting interpretation to only spoken words, not signs
- Avoiding tasks outside the interpreting function such as counseling or advocacy (Correct answer)
- Restricting work to specific settings like medical or legal
- Declining assignments involving culturally sensitive topics
Correct 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.
Question 3: An interpreter realizes mid-assignment that they have a conflict of interest with one of the parties. What is the ethical obligation?
- Continue if the conflict is minor
- Disclose the conflict and withdraw if necessary (Correct answer)
- Disclose only to the Deaf consumer
- Ignore it if the other party is unaware
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict and withdraw if necessary
Interpreters must disclose potential conflicts and withdraw from assignments where impartiality cannot be maintained.
Question 4: A Deaf student requests that the interpreter use a more casual, informal register during class to feel more comfortable. The interpreter should:
- Always maintain a formal register regardless of the student's preference
- Use a register appropriate to the educational setting and consider the request (Correct answer)
- Adopt the casual register to respect consumer autonomy
- Ask the teacher to decide which register is appropriate
Correct 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.
Question 5: What is the primary reason the NIC Code of Professional Conduct prohibits interpreters from engaging in fraudulent practices?
- To protect interpreters from legal liability
- To maintain public trust and the integrity of the profession (Correct answer)
- To prevent competition among interpreters
- To comply with state licensing laws
Correct 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.
Question 6: 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:
- Complete the form to expedite the patient's care
- Complete only the sections the patient verbally authorizes
- Decline and interpret the interaction so the patient can complete it themselves (Correct answer)
- Ask a supervisor if completing forms is permitted
Correct 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.
Question 7: If a hearing consumer gives an interpreter a gift after a successful assignment, the most appropriate response is to:
- Accept it graciously to maintain a positive relationship
- Politely decline or return the gift to maintain professional boundaries (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if the value is below $25
- Consult RID guidelines before accepting
Correct answer: Politely decline or return the gift to maintain professional boundaries
Accepting gifts can compromise impartiality and professional boundaries, so interpreters generally decline them.
NIC Professional Ethics 3
During a mental health session, an interpreter becomes emotionally overwhelmed by the content being discussed.
What is the most ethical course of action?