The clinic was seeing a great number of Hmong immigrants from the moun

The clinic was seeing a great number of Hmong immigrants from the mountainous regions of the Far East. If the nurse could not obtain a translator, which of the following would be the next best action?

a. Require each patient to bring a family member fluent in English
b. Start teaching Hmong patients English on each clinic visit
c. Suggest Hmong patients might be more comfortable seeking care elsewhere
d. Try to make flash cards with common phrases used during clinic visits

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
If a translator is not available, the nurse can try many approaches such as pantomime, but it would also be helpful to have common phrases used with many patients on flash cards so basic information can be obtained. Other Hmong patients or family members should not be used as interpreters. It is unrealistic to teach English to patients at clinic visits. This population needs care, so suggesting that they receive care elsewhere is not a therapeutic response by the nurse.