Ms. Wolcott is having her annual physical. “I don’t like it when you wear a surgical mask around me,” she tells the medical assistant. “I’m not dirty, so you shouldn’t treat me as if I am.” What is the BEST response for the medical assistant to give?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

“For a standard physical, the government requires medical team members to wear surgical masks and a medical cap or hood.”
“For a standard physical, the government requires medical team members to wear surgical masks and a medical cap or hood.”

“The mask is just a transmission-based precaution that we use for patients that we suspect have an infection of some kind.”
“The mask is just a transmission-based precaution that we use for patients that we suspect have an infection of some kind.”

“I know you aren’t dirty. Wearing masks is a standard precaution that we take with all our patients to reduce the spread of infection.”
“I know you aren’t dirty. Wearing masks is a standard precaution that we take with all our patients to reduce the spread of infection.”

“Well, that’s a relief! I can take off this mask now, and I will tell the doctor not to wear one either.”

Answer 1

The best response for the medical assistant to give is:

“I know you aren’t dirty. Wearing masks is a standard precaution that we take with all our patients to reduce the spread of infection.”

This response acknowledges Ms. Wolcott's feelings while also providing an explanation of the rationale behind wearing the mask in a respectful and informative manner.