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Disclosure with interpreter and family request — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardEthics, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Systems-Based PracticeDisclosure with interpreter and family requestUSMLE Step 3

A 59-year-old woman with limited English proficiency is admitted for pneumonia. During rounds, her adult son answers questions in English and says, 'Don't tell her the CT showed a mass; she will panic.' The patient is awake, has decision-making capacity, and asks in her language what is happening. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Arrange a professional interpreter and ask the patient how much information she wants

Patients with capacity have the right to receive information and make decisions. A professional interpreter should be used, and culturally sensitive disclosure can begin by asking the patient how much information she wants.

Reference: AMA Code of Medical Ethics; National CLAS Standards