What steps should be taken if patient or provider safety is at risk during an encounter?

• A. Follow facility safety protocols, alert security or supervisors as required, prioritize de-escalation and clear, concise communication, and document the incident.
• B. Ignore risk and continue interpreting.
• C. Leave the scene and do not report.
• D. Try to mediate alone without notifying anyone.

Answer: (A)

Safety of patients and staff is the priority when risk is present. The best approach is to follow facility safety protocols, alert security or supervisors as required, focus on de-escalation and clear, concise communication to prevent harm, and document the incident for accountability and future reference. This sequence ensures trained responders can intervene, reduces the chance of harm, and provides a record of what occurred and what actions were taken. Ignoring risk, continuing to interpret, leaving the scene and not reporting, or attempting to mediate alone without notifying others can all put people at greater risk and violate policy and professional ethics, which is why they are not appropriate.