If a patient signs a consent form but does not understand it, what should the interpreter do?

• A. Tell The Patient To Sign Anyway
• B. Translate Clearly, Check For Understanding, And Ensure Informed Consent
• C. Translate Only Portions You Understand
• D. Avoid Discussing The Form To Reduce Anxiety

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that informed consent requires genuine understanding by the patient. The interpreter’s role is to make the information clear in plain language and to verify that the patient truly understands what they are being asked to consent to—the purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the option to refuse.

Translate accurately without adding or omitting meaning, then check understanding. A good way is to ask the patient to explain back in their own words or to ask targeted questions to confirm comprehension. If confusion is shown, pause and have the clinician rephrase in simpler terms or provide additional explanations, using teach-back style until understanding is demonstrated. Only then should consent be considered informed.

The interpreter should not pressure the patient to sign, should not translate only portions they understand, and should not avoid discussing the form to reduce anxiety. If more time or resources are needed to ensure understanding, the interpreter can advocate for that while maintaining neutrality and patient autonomy.