A 65-Year-Old Man Is Admitted Overnight to the Hospital with Abdominal

question 97

Multiple Choice

A 65-year-old man is admitted overnight to the hospital with abdominal pain.  It is determined that he has an uncomplicated small bowel obstruction that will require surgery in the morning.  Temperature is 37 C (98.6 F) , blood pressure is 130/82 mm Hg, and pulse is 90/min.  The resident meets with the patient and his adult son, who has accompanied him to the hospital, to discuss surgical intervention.  After introducing herself, the resident learns that the patient speaks primarily Vietnamese and has limited English proficiency, although his son speaks both Vietnamese and English.  The son shares that he is a critical care nurse and offers to interpret the conversation for his father.  Which of the following responses to the patient's son is the most appropriate?

• A)"I appreciate your offer to interpret; however, I need to get a trained medical interpreter before I start talking with your father."
• B)"I'll print out the Vietnamese version of the consent form.  It would be helpful if you could interpret any questions your father may have after reading it."
• C)"Thank you.  That would be very helpful, especially since you are already familiar with medical terminology."
• D)"That would make things much easier; could you start by asking your father what his understanding of the situation is?"
• E)"That's a kind offer, but I wouldn't be able to have a direct and objective discussion with your father if you interpret it."

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Definitions:

Consciousness

The condition of being conscious and capable of contemplating one's own being, feelings, ideas, environment, and life events.

Perceptions

The process of organizing, interpreting, and giving meaning to the sensory information we receive from the environment.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain below the thalamus, coordinating both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian cycles.

Sleep-Wakefulness Cycle

The circadian rhythm that regulates periods of sleep and wakefulness over a 24-hour period.