Gabe is a pediatrician in a busy city clinic. He sees children of refugees regularly. One patient comes in with a cut on his leg. The cut has become infected. Gabe explains to the boy's mother that the cut must be cleaned regularly and bandaged to prevent damage to the skin tissue. When the child comes in for a follow-up, his leg is swollen, red, and inflamed. Gabe can see that his directions have not been followed, and now the infection has spread. What is MOST likely the reason for this patient's noncompliance?

(1 point)
• The patient's mother did not think Gabe knew what he was talking about.
• The patient's mother performed the treatment Gabe prescribed but it didn't work.
• The patient's mother did not understand the instructions that Gabe gave.
• The patient's mother is neglecting her child on purpose.

1 answer

The most likely reason for this patient's noncompliance is that the patient's mother did not understand the instructions that Gabe gave. This could be due to a language barrier, cultural differences, or lack of health literacy. It is important for healthcare providers to ensure that patients and their caregivers understand the treatment plan and instructions given to them in order to prevent further complications.