The nursing student is working with a Latino client who does not speak English. The nursing student speaks only English. Which of the following actions would the student take in order to improve care for this client?

Question

1. Obtain a Spanish/English dictionary and attempt to speak in Spanish.
2. Find an interpreter to help the client and the nursing student communicate.
3. Ask a family member who speaks English to act as the interpreter.
4. Inform the instructor that the client does not speak English, and request a different client assignment.

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Institutions today have either interpreters on staff or a telephone system with two phones that allow the client and the nurse to talk through an interpreter. Answer option 1 leaves too much room for misinterpretation and frustration on the part of the nurse and the client. Option 3 is not recommended, as a family member might insert feelings or alter the meaning of the teaching and deliver a message that was unintended. Option 4 is incorrect because, as nurses, we must find a way to give effective care to all clients regardless of language barriers.