The nurse is caring for a client who is hearing-impaired and ...

[krzymel]

The nurse is caring for a client who is hearing-impaired and legally blind in his right eye. The client has just returned from cataract surgery on his left eye. The nurse recognizes that
 
  a. the client's arm should be held when walking.
  b. verbal speech is useless in this situation.
  c. signals should be developed to indicate changes in pace or direction while walking.
  d. the client should be discouraged from reading lips.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for an unconscious client. The client's family member reports that a nurse at the client's bedside stated, I wouldn't want to live in this condition. What did this nurse not realize about the client's capabilities?
 
  a. The client can read lips
  b. Hearing can remain acute in clients who are not fully alert
  c. The client can respond to statements through written communication
  d. The client can be sensitive to the nurse's nonverbal behavior

[juwms]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
For vision-impaired clients, the nurse should develop and use signals to indicate changes in pace or direction while walking. The nurse should not lead or hold the client's arm when walking, but instead allow the client to take the nurse's arm. The nurse should speak distinctly without exaggerating words. Partially deaf clients respond best to well-articulated words spoken in a moderate, even tone. The client with hearing loss should be encouraged to verbalize speech, even if they only use a few words or the words are difficult to understand at first. The nurse should always face the client when communicating so the client can see the nurse's lips move.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
When a client is not fully alert, it is not uncommon for nurses to speak in their presence in ways they would not if they thought the client could fully understand what is being said, forgetting that hearing can remain acute. Good clinical practice suggests never saying anything the nurse would not want the client to hear. The ability to read lips, respond to written communication, or be sensitive to nonverbal behavior does not relate to the verbal statement made by the nurse.

[krzymel]

Excellent

[ttt030911]

TYSM