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CCHI - CERTIFICATION HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER™
(CORECHI™) — WRITTEN EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
CCHI
Prepare effectively for the CCHI Practice Exam with this focused study resource. It
supports review of healthcare interpreting concepts, terminology, professional
standards, ethical principles, and communication skills relevant to the CCHI
examination. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, practice key concepts,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for
healthcare interpreters, interpreting students, and candidates preparing for CCHI
certification examinations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INTERPRETER ETHICS
(Questions 1–22)
1. A healthcare interpreter is assigned to a patient who is a close family
friend. What is the MOST appropriate action?
• A. Accept the assignment since the interpreter knows the patient well
• B. Request to be reassigned due to a conflict of interest
• C. Interpret the encounter but maintain professional distance
• D. Inform the provider of the relationship but continue interpreting
Answer: B. Request to be reassigned due to a conflict of interest
Rationale: Interpreters must avoid conflicts of interest and dual
relationships. A personal relationship with the patient could compromise
objectivity, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. The interpreter
should request reassignment. The IMIA Code of Ethics and the National
Standards of Practice require interpreters to decline assignments where
personal relationships could affect impartiality.
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2. During a medical encounter, the interpreter realizes the patient's family
member is asking the interpreter for personal advice about the patient's
condition outside of the interpretation session. What should the
interpreter do?
• A. Provide general advice to the family member
• B. Explain that the interpreter cannot give advice and refer the
family member to the healthcare provider
• C. Answer the question since it is related to the patient's care
• D. Ignore the family member's question
Answer: B. Explain that the interpreter cannot give advice and refer the
family member to the healthcare provider
Rationale: Interpreters must maintain professional boundaries and
should not provide medical advice, opinions, or recommendations. The
interpreter's role is to facilitate communication, not to act as a healthcare
advisor. The family member should be directed to the appropriate
healthcare provider for medical questions.
3. A healthcare interpreter is assigned to interpret for a patient who
speaks the same language and is from the same cultural background.
During the encounter, the patient shares information with the interpreter
that is not communicated to the provider. What should the interpreter do?
• A. Keep the information confidential as requested by the patient
• B. Interpret all information shared by the patient accurately and
completely
• C. Share the information only if the provider asks
• D. Tell the patient that the information is not important
Answer: B. Interpret all information shared by the patient accurately and
completely
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Rationale: Interpreters must interpret everything that is said in the
encounter accurately and completely, without omitting, adding, or
altering information. The interpreter cannot withhold information from the
provider, even if the patient asks them to do so. The interpreter should
explain their role and the importance of full disclosure at the beginning of
the encounter.
4. An interpreter is assigned to a patient who is visibly upset and crying.
The provider asks the interpreter to "calm the patient down" before
proceeding. What is the MOST appropriate response?
• A. Calm the patient down as requested
• B. Explain that the interpreter's role is to interpret and suggest the
provider address the patient's emotional state directly
• C. Ignore the provider's request and continue interpreting
• D. Ask the patient to stop crying
Answer: B. Explain that the interpreter's role is to interpret and suggest
the provider address the patient's emotional state directly
Rationale: Interpreters should not take on roles outside of interpretation
(e.g., cultural broker, patient advocate, or emotional counselor) without
explicit authorization. The interpreter should interpret the patient's
emotional expressions and allow the provider to respond appropriately.
The provider should address the patient's emotional needs directly.
5. An interpreter is assigned to a patient who is an undocumented
immigrant. The patient tells the interpreter that they are afraid to disclose
their immigration status to the provider. What should the interpreter do?
• A. Interpret all information the patient shares accurately, including
immigration status if the patient chooses to disclose it
• B. Advise the patient not to disclose their immigration status
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• C. Inform the provider about the patient's immigration status without
the patient's consent
• D. Withhold the patient's immigration status from the interpretation
Answer: A. Interpret all information the patient shares accurately,
including immigration status if the patient chooses to disclose it
Rationale: Interpreters must interpret everything that is said during the
medical encounter accurately and completely. The interpreter should not
advise the patient on what to say or withhold information from the
provider. The interpreter can explain that all information shared will be
interpreted and that the provider is there to help with the patient's
medical needs.
6. An interpreter overhears a provider making a disparaging comment
about a patient's culture. What is the MOST appropriate action?
• A. Ignore the comment to avoid conflict
• B. Address the comment with the provider privately and
professionally, advocating for cultural sensitivity
• C. Report the provider to the hospital administration immediately
• D. Tell the patient what the provider said
Answer: B. Address the comment with the provider privately and
professionally, advocating for cultural sensitivity
Rationale: Interpreters have a responsibility to advocate for culturally
competent care and to address behaviors that may compromise the
quality of care. The interpreter should address the issue privately and
professionally with the provider, explaining why the comment was
problematic and suggesting more culturally sensitive approaches. The
interpreter should not escalate the issue without first addressing it
directly.
CCHI - CERTIFICATION HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER™
(CORECHI™) — WRITTEN EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
CCHI
Prepare effectively for the CCHI Practice Exam with this focused study resource. It
supports review of healthcare interpreting concepts, terminology, professional
standards, ethical principles, and communication skills relevant to the CCHI
examination. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, practice key concepts,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for
healthcare interpreters, interpreting students, and candidates preparing for CCHI
certification examinations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INTERPRETER ETHICS
(Questions 1–22)
1. A healthcare interpreter is assigned to a patient who is a close family
friend. What is the MOST appropriate action?
• A. Accept the assignment since the interpreter knows the patient well
• B. Request to be reassigned due to a conflict of interest
• C. Interpret the encounter but maintain professional distance
• D. Inform the provider of the relationship but continue interpreting
Answer: B. Request to be reassigned due to a conflict of interest
Rationale: Interpreters must avoid conflicts of interest and dual
relationships. A personal relationship with the patient could compromise
objectivity, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. The interpreter
should request reassignment. The IMIA Code of Ethics and the National
Standards of Practice require interpreters to decline assignments where
personal relationships could affect impartiality.
, Page 2 of 55
2. During a medical encounter, the interpreter realizes the patient's family
member is asking the interpreter for personal advice about the patient's
condition outside of the interpretation session. What should the
interpreter do?
• A. Provide general advice to the family member
• B. Explain that the interpreter cannot give advice and refer the
family member to the healthcare provider
• C. Answer the question since it is related to the patient's care
• D. Ignore the family member's question
Answer: B. Explain that the interpreter cannot give advice and refer the
family member to the healthcare provider
Rationale: Interpreters must maintain professional boundaries and
should not provide medical advice, opinions, or recommendations. The
interpreter's role is to facilitate communication, not to act as a healthcare
advisor. The family member should be directed to the appropriate
healthcare provider for medical questions.
3. A healthcare interpreter is assigned to interpret for a patient who
speaks the same language and is from the same cultural background.
During the encounter, the patient shares information with the interpreter
that is not communicated to the provider. What should the interpreter do?
• A. Keep the information confidential as requested by the patient
• B. Interpret all information shared by the patient accurately and
completely
• C. Share the information only if the provider asks
• D. Tell the patient that the information is not important
Answer: B. Interpret all information shared by the patient accurately and
completely
, Page 3 of 55
Rationale: Interpreters must interpret everything that is said in the
encounter accurately and completely, without omitting, adding, or
altering information. The interpreter cannot withhold information from the
provider, even if the patient asks them to do so. The interpreter should
explain their role and the importance of full disclosure at the beginning of
the encounter.
4. An interpreter is assigned to a patient who is visibly upset and crying.
The provider asks the interpreter to "calm the patient down" before
proceeding. What is the MOST appropriate response?
• A. Calm the patient down as requested
• B. Explain that the interpreter's role is to interpret and suggest the
provider address the patient's emotional state directly
• C. Ignore the provider's request and continue interpreting
• D. Ask the patient to stop crying
Answer: B. Explain that the interpreter's role is to interpret and suggest
the provider address the patient's emotional state directly
Rationale: Interpreters should not take on roles outside of interpretation
(e.g., cultural broker, patient advocate, or emotional counselor) without
explicit authorization. The interpreter should interpret the patient's
emotional expressions and allow the provider to respond appropriately.
The provider should address the patient's emotional needs directly.
5. An interpreter is assigned to a patient who is an undocumented
immigrant. The patient tells the interpreter that they are afraid to disclose
their immigration status to the provider. What should the interpreter do?
• A. Interpret all information the patient shares accurately, including
immigration status if the patient chooses to disclose it
• B. Advise the patient not to disclose their immigration status
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• C. Inform the provider about the patient's immigration status without
the patient's consent
• D. Withhold the patient's immigration status from the interpretation
Answer: A. Interpret all information the patient shares accurately,
including immigration status if the patient chooses to disclose it
Rationale: Interpreters must interpret everything that is said during the
medical encounter accurately and completely. The interpreter should not
advise the patient on what to say or withhold information from the
provider. The interpreter can explain that all information shared will be
interpreted and that the provider is there to help with the patient's
medical needs.
6. An interpreter overhears a provider making a disparaging comment
about a patient's culture. What is the MOST appropriate action?
• A. Ignore the comment to avoid conflict
• B. Address the comment with the provider privately and
professionally, advocating for cultural sensitivity
• C. Report the provider to the hospital administration immediately
• D. Tell the patient what the provider said
Answer: B. Address the comment with the provider privately and
professionally, advocating for cultural sensitivity
Rationale: Interpreters have a responsibility to advocate for culturally
competent care and to address behaviors that may compromise the
quality of care. The interpreter should address the issue privately and
professionally with the provider, explaining why the comment was
problematic and suggesting more culturally sensitive approaches. The
interpreter should not escalate the issue without first addressing it
directly.
