Reference no: EM133384778

America is the melting pot of the world. There is no official language of the United States because so many Americans either speak many languages or speak a language other than English (Squires, 2018). One in five US households speak a language other than English (Squires, 2018) Language differences between a patient and a nurse are very common in healthcare including preventative care. Preventative care is defined as healthcare with the goal of preventing disease, illness, injury, or other health issues (Masters, 2021). A difference in language can pose a safety risk for both the patient and the nurse because it creates a barrier. This barrier can cause misunderstandings between the patient and the nurse or healthcare provider. A patient may not understand the significance of a potential disease, directions for their medication, how to perform an exercise, when their next appointment is, how to call their doctor, and much more. Often times, patients may not speak up if they don't understand out of embarrassment or pride. These misunderstandings can lead to poor health management, development of disease, overdoses, and dangerous situations.