Ethics case scenario

[lordman]

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A 53 yo woman presents with severe little finger pain following a trauma. X-ray revealed a complete fracture. The woman only speaks French, while her daughter speaks English. What do you do?

A) Refer it to another physician
B) Wait the hospital translator to come
C) Ask her daughter to translate for her
D) Treat her without saying anything


Confused between B and C, but feel more positive with B

 

[Phloston]

A and D are wrong.

I'd go with B.

In general, it's usually not the right answer to have a family member interpret because of potential conflicting views on an issue (e.g., elderly patient wants to have lifesaving treatment removed but adult daughter disagrees, so you can't have the daughter interpret).

This would be balancing autonomy vs beneficence, where there's a potential breach of autonomy if informed consent regarding treatment isn't given (and this requires full understanding in the language familiar to the patient).

It can be confusing because in real life, family members who are present practically always do the interpreting, but this is usually with regard to history and examination findings, not necessarily treatment.