A patient arrives for a health assessment and the nurse notes the patient has a heavy foreign accent. The nurse knows the best action is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking the patient if he or she understands and speaks English is the best initial action. It directly addresses the communication need without making assumptions about the patient's language proficiency or immediately involving third parties, which could be unnecessary or uncomfortable for the patient.

A Patient Arrives for a Health Assessment and the Nurse