In pediatric encounters, whom should you defer to regarding disclosures to parents?

• A. The patient.
• B. The interpreter.
• C. Clinician or supervisor.
• D. A school nurse.

Answer: (C)

In pediatric encounters, whom you defer to for disclosures to parents is the clinician or their supervisor. They hold the medical responsibility and are trained to navigate confidentiality rules and the child’s best interests. Your role as the interpreter is to ensure accurate communication and protect privacy, following whatever guidance the clinician provides about what can be shared. If a private moment with the patient is needed or if certain information should remain confidential, the clinician will determine how to handle it and may arrange a private conversation with the minor before sharing specifics with the parents. The school nurse isn’t the decision-maker for medical disclosures in this setting. While the patient’s preferences matter, the clinician’s direction governs what is disclosed to parents.