Question

A nurse was caring for a deaf woman who had a new baby. She had a translator who signed to the patient what the nurses said and then told the nursing staff what the patient said. As she spoke she kept talking to the interpreter and directed all of her communications to the interpreter.

• What might the nurse have done differently with this patient and why?

Answer 1

Answer is as follows:

- As the patient was deaf, her only problem was inability to hear which in many cases affects speech too. But, the nurse could have communicated with her through writing. Patient and the nurse could ask or answer via writing on a piece of paper which would be much better. In cases where writing also becomes a problem, an illustrated translation board specially for deaf could be used.