A confused older adult patient is wearing thick glasses and a hearing aid. Which intervention is priority to facilitate communication?
a. Focus on tasks to be completed.
b. Allow time for the patient to respond.
c. Limit conversations with the patient.
d. Use gestures and other nonverbal cues.
ANS: B
Allowing time for the patient to respond will facilitate communication, especially for an older confused patient. Focusing on tasks to be completed and limiting conversations do not facilitate communication; in fact, they block communication. Using gestures and other nonverbal cues is not effective for visually impaired or cognitively impaired patients.
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