The patient has been diagnosed with aphasia after suffering a stroke. What can the nurse do to make the patient's atmosphere more conducive to communication?
A) Help the patient to compose a list of daily tasks.
B) Have the patient speak to loved ones on the phone daily.
C) Help the patient complete his or her sentences.
D) Speak in a louder voice to the patient.
Ans: A
Feedback: Aphasia, which impairs the patient's ability to understand what is being said and to express himself or herself, may become apparent in various ways. An aphasic person may become depressed because of the inability to talk to others. The inability to talk on the telephone or answer a question or exclusion from conversation causes anger, frustration, fear of the future, and hopelessness. A common pitfall is for the nurse or other health care team member to complete the thoughts or sentences of the patient. This should be avoided because it may cause the patient to feel more frustrated at not being allowed to speak and may deter efforts to practice putting thoughts together and completing the sentence. A consistent schedule, routines, and repetitions help the patient to function despite significant deficits. A written copy of the daily schedule, a folder of personal information (birth date, address, names of relatives), checklists, and an audiotaped list help the patient's memory and concentration. The patient may also benefit from a communication board, which has pictures of commonly requested needs and phrases. The board may be translated into several languages.
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