What can be useful when taking a medical history from a patient with a limited ability to speak English?

Asking questions that require the patient to give a simple “yes” or “no” answer, such as “do you have trouble breathing?” or “does your knee hurt?”-(answer: a. while it may seem easier to ask questions that require a simple yes or no answer, this technique seriously limits the ability of the patient to communicate information that may be essential for an accurate history and diagnosis. the most effective way to put the patient at ease and to ensure that the patient provides essential information about his or her symptoms is to combine two types of questions: 1) open-ended questions such as tell me about the pain in your knee and 2) more directed questions, such as what makes the pain get better or worse? always get a qualified interpreter when possible.)