Administrative & LegalQuestion 99 of 100
A patient from a culture in which direct eye contact with authority figures is considered disrespectful avoids looking at the medical assistant. What is the most appropriate response?
a.Insist that the patient make eye contact to show they are listening
b.Assume the patient is being dishonest or hiding symptoms
c.Respect the patient's communication style, continue speaking clearly, and confirm understanding through teach-back
d.Document that the patient was uncooperative during the interview
Explanation
Culturally competent care means recognizing that norms for eye contact, personal space, and touch differ, and adapting without judgment while verifying understanding through methods such as teach-back. Demanding eye contact can shame the patient and damage trust. Interpreting the behavior as dishonesty or noncooperation records a biased and inaccurate impression in the chart.
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