Ethics & Law · single question
A non-English-speaking woman comes in with her 8-year-old English-speaking daughter. The assistant notices signs of possible abuse on the woman while taking a panoramic X-ray. The woman's chief complaint is pain in tooth #14. What should you do next?
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Correct answer: D. Use a certified translator and ask the woman what happened
Before jumping to a formal report based on an unconfirmed observation, it's appropriate to gather more information directly from the patient — but this must be done using a qualified, certified interpreter, not the patient's own minor child (using a child to translate sensitive/potentially traumatic questions about possible abuse is inappropriate and can be harmful, biased, or unsafe).