A patient is aphasic, and the nurse notices that the patient's ...

[kellyjaisingh]

A patient is aphasic, and the nurse notices that the patient's hands shake intermittently. Which nursing action is most appropriate to facilitate communication?
 
  a. Use a picture board.
  b. Use pen and paper.
  c. Use an interpreter.
  d. Use a hearing aid.

Question 2

The patient that will cause the greatest communication concerns for a nurse is the patient who is
 
  a. Alert, has strong self-esteem, and is hungry.
  b. Oriented, pain free, and blind.
  c. Cooperative, depressed, and hard of hearing.
  d. Dyspneic, has a tracheostomy, and is anxious.

[shailee]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Using a pen and paper can be frustrating for a nonverbal (aphasic) patient whose handwriting is shaky; the nurse can revise the care plan to include use of a picture board instead. An interpreter is used for a patient who speaks a foreign language. A hearing aid is used for the hard of hearing, not for an aphasic patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Facial trauma, laryngeal cancer, or endotracheal intubation often prevents movement of air past vocal cords or mobility of the tongue, resulting in inability to articulate words. An extremely breathless person needs to use oxygen to breathe rather than speak. Persons with high anxiety are sometimes unable to perceive environmental stimuli or hear explanations. People who are alert, have strong self-esteem, and are cooperative and pain free do not cause communication concerns. Although hunger, blindness, and difficulty hearing can cause communication concerns, dyspnea, a tracheostomy, and anxiety all contribute to communication concerns.