You brought up some really good points. And you are exactly right about the transliteration vs. interpretation. However, there are many medical terms that the interpreter may think she/he knows its meaning but really doesn't. (I'm playing as a Devil's Advocate here, not necessarily disagreeing). What if she/he expands the meaning but it is incorrect? That's where I think the client needs to say, "Excuse me, Doc. Can you explain to me what a colonoscopy is?" It is the same thing as if a hearing person hears the word "colonoscopy" but doesn't know what it means. It is that person's responsibility to ask the doctor to describe what the procedure is. It is the interpreter's responsiblity to make sure it is fingerspelled correctly and if expansion is needed, to make sure it is correct. Also, how do you really know what that client knows and doesn't know? It is likely I have more medical training than most of the ASL interpreters. Thanks for responding 
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