Visually impaired patients may have which type of assistance during visits?

• A. Guide dog
• B. Hearing aid
• C. Wheelchair
• D. Prescription sunglasses

Answer: (A)

Visually impaired patients benefit most from supports that help them move through an environment safely and with independence. A guide dog is trained to lead the person around obstacles, stop at curbs, avoid dangers, and respond to verbal commands, providing reliable real-time navigation in a clinic or hospital setting. This directly addresses the need to move safely and confidently when vision is limited.

Hearing aids are for people with hearing loss, not vision, so they don’t provide navigation help. A wheelchair aids mobility for those who have difficulty walking, but it doesn’t address the specific need for guiding someone who cannot see. Prescription sunglasses reduce glare and protect the eyes, but they don’t assist with orientation or safe movement during visits.

If a patient uses a guide dog, staff should acknowledge the animal as part of the patient’s mobility and provide access and assistance in a respectful, supportive way.