Using ad hoc interpreters in consent processes may lead to which issue?

• A. Faster consent.
• B. Higher patient satisfaction.
• C. Improved accuracy.
• D. Invalid consent and ethical violation.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that informed consent must be truly understood, voluntary, and based on accurate information. When ad hoc interpreters—such as a family member or an untrained staff member—are used for consent discussions, important medical details can be misinterpreted, omitted, or distorted. They may not explain risks, benefits, and alternatives clearly, or they might introduce bias or pressure from relatives, compromising the patient’s autonomy and the voluntariness of the decision. This undermines the validity of the consent and can constitute an ethical violation because the patient did not receive proper disclosure or the freedom to choose without coercion. Using professional interpreters helps ensure accurate translation, preserves confidentiality, and supports a genuine understanding that leads to ethically and legally sound consent.