Following a brain attack, the 45-year-old female client was very confu

Following a brain attack, the 45-year-old female client was very confused She was having diffi-culty responding appropriately to the nurse and to her family members.

The client’s daughter was concerned that her mother was suffering from a mental breakdown, even though she had no history of mental illness. The best information that the nurse can share with the client’s daughter is:
1. “Your mother appears to have aphasia as a result of her stroke.”
2. “Your mother will be just fine in no time.”
3. “Your mother has been through a lot as a result of her stroke.”
4. “We can have a psychiatric workup done if you would like.”

ANSWER

ANS: 1
The most common language disorder following a stroke is aphasia. As a result of a disruption in blood flow to the brain, the speech center becomes damaged, altering a person’s ability to either use or understand spoken words. Depending on the type of aphasia, the inability to communicate is often frustrating and frightening. Initially you need to establish very basic communication and recognize that aphasia does not indicate intellectual impairment or degeneration of personality. Explain situations and treatments that are pertinent to the client because he or she is able to un-derstand the speaker’s words. Because a stroke often causes partial or complete paralysis of one side of the client’s body, an aphasic client will need special assistive devices. There are commu-nication boards that have been developed for several levels of disability. Sensitive pressure switches, activated by the touch of an ear, nose, or chin, control electronic communication boards. Clients who have had a stroke usually acquire referrals to speech therapists to develop appropriate rehabilitation plans.