What should you do if you do not know a medical term during an encounter?

• A. Pause, Ask For Clarification Or Definition, Or Request The Clinician To Provide A Definition; Never Guess
• B. Never Guess; Pause, Ask For Clarification Or Definition, Or Request The Clinician To Provide A Definition
• C. Guess Based On Context
• D. Ignore The Term And Move On

Answer: (A)

When you encounter an unfamiliar medical term, accuracy and patient safety come first. The best move is to pause and ask for clarification or a definition, or request the clinician to provide a definition. Never guess. Guessing can lead to incorrect information, misinterpretation, and potential harm to the patient if the term changes meaning in the clinical context. By seeking clarification, you ensure you understand precisely what’s being communicated and can relay it accurately in the patient’s language. If the clinician defines the term, repeat it back to confirm understanding. If needed, you can ask for a plain-language explanation or a synonym in the patient’s language to support comprehension, without injecting your own assumed term. For example, you might say, “Could you define that term for me?” or “What does that term mean in this context?”