Which nursing intervention is best for facilitating communication with a psychiatric client who speaks a foreign language?

Correct Answer: D. Use the services of an interpreter

An interpreter will enable the nurse to better assess the client’s problems and concerns. Language barriers pose challenges in terms of achieving high levels of satisfaction among medical professionals and patients, providing high- quality healthcare and maintaining patient safety. To address these challenges, many larger healthcare institutions offer interpreter services to improve healthcare access, patient satisfaction, and communication.

• Option A: Nonverbal communication is important; however for the nurse to fully determine the client’s problems and concerns, the assistance of an interpreter is essential. Language barriers have negative implications for the delivery of healthcare and patient satisfaction. One study showed that among patients who received treatment from nurses who did not speak the local language, 30% had difficulty understanding medical instructions, 30% had a problem with the reliability of information, and 50% believed that the language barrier contributed to errors.
• Option B: Online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble present possible solutions for overcoming these challenges. Further studies on the implications of language barriers and the effectiveness of online translation tools are recommended. Furthermore, new updates with more medical phrases for Google Translate and with more languages included for MediBabble application are recommended.
• Option C: The use of universal phrases may assist the nurse in understanding the basic needs of the client; however these are insufficient to assess the client with a psychiatric problem. Some healthcare organizations use online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble to address the challenges of language barriers. These tools are free and easy to access, and they contribute to improving healthcare delivery, patient safety, and increase (up to 92%) the satisfaction of both medical professionals and patients.