When is it NOT appropriate to use medical terminology?

• A. When documenting patient charts for the medical team.
• B. When speaking directly with patients, especially those with limited health literacy or limited English proficiency — jargon increases confusion, reduces adherence, and undermines trust.
• C. In academic research articles.
• D. When communicating with physicians.

Answer: (B)

Plain language with patients who have limited health literacy or limited English proficiency is essential because medical terminology and jargon can create confusion, reduce adherence to care plans, and undermine trust. When you explain things in everyday terms and check for understanding, patients are more likely to grasp the information, remember instructions, and participate in decisions about their care. Using teach-back, visual aids, and avoiding unexplained acronyms helps ensure clear communication, and arranging interpreter services for language barriers supports accurate understanding.

In professional or academic settings, medical terminology is appropriate because the audience shares a common professional language. Similarly, documenting charts for the medical team and communicating with physicians often require precise terminology to convey specific details efficiently.