ROLES, ETHICS & PROTOCOLS
The default role of the interpreter, where the goal is to render the message accurately without adding, omitting, or changing anything.
Commonly known by brand names like Tylenol, this over-the-counter medication is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain.
What is Acetaminophen (or Paracetamol)?
The organ system responsible for pumping blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body
What is the Cardiovascular System?
The medical prefix "hyper-" means high or excessive, while "hypo-" means this.
What is low, deficient, or under?
If a provider uses complex medical jargon that the patient clearly does not understand, the interpreter should ask the provider to do this.
What is lower the register?
The ethical principle requiring interpreters to protect all patient health information under regulations like HIPAA.
What is the Confidentiality?
This class of drugs, which includes Amoxicillin and Penicillin, is used to treat bacterial infections.
What are Antibiotics?
The primary function of this system, which includes the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm, is gas exchange.
What is the Respiratory System?
The medical suffix "-itis" signifies this condition.
What is inflammation?
When a patient asks the interpreter for medical advice or an opinion on a treatment, the interpreter should do this.
What is redirect the question & INTERPRETE to the provider?
Speaking in this grammatical perspective (e.g., "I have a headache" instead of "She says she has a headache") helps preserve direct communication.
Medications like Metformin and Insulin are commonly prescribed to manage this chronic condition.
What is Diabetes?
The organ system responsible for filtering waste from blood, producing urine, and maintaining fluid balance.
What is the Urinary System?
The root word "gastro-" refers to this organ.
What is the stomach?
An interpreter realizes mid-session that the patient is a relative. Disclosing this situation adheres to this ethical principle
What is IMPARTIALITY OR PROFESSIONALISM?
The practice of sitting slightly behind the patient or creating a triangle formation to encourage direct eye contact between patient and provider.
What is IDEAL OF INTERPRETER POSITION?
Lisinopril, Amlodipine, and Losartan belong to this category of drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
What are Blood Pressure Medications?
The body system made up of glands (like the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands) that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream.
What is the Endocrine System?
The suffix "-ectomy" refers to this surgical procedure.
What is surgical removal or excision?
The proper standard of practice when an interpreter makes a mistranslation or error during a session.
What is correcting the error immediately and transparently (ACCURACY & PROFESSIONALISM)
Before stepping out of the Conduit role to clarify a term or address a cultural block, the interpreter must execute this essential protocol action.
Medications like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aspirin belong to this class of pain relievers, abbreviated as NSAIDs.
What are Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs?
The body's largest organ system, which acts as a protective barrier and includes the skin, hair, and nails.
What is the Integumentary System AKA Dermatology
The root words "nephro-" or "reno-" refer to this organ.
What is the kidney?
When asked to sight translate a consent form longer than 1–2 pages or containing legal complexities, the interpreter should standardly do this.
What is SIGHT TRANSLATION?