A patient suffered from stroke and is unable to communicate. This is called?

IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

Aphasia is the medical term for the loss of ability to understand or express speech, a common consequence of a stroke affecting the language centers of the brain.
The patient's complete inability to communicate, as stated in the question, points towards a severe form of aphasia, making it the most fitting diagnosis.
The language network, primarily in the left perisylvian region, is responsible for language production and comprehension. Damage here leads to aphasia.

Option A: While related, dysphasia typically implies a partial or less severe language impairment. Given the patient is 'unable to communicate', the more severe and encompassing term 'aphasia' is more accurate.
Option B: 'Partial aphasia' is not a standard clinical diagnostic term. The correct approach is to use the term 'aphasia' and then specify the type (e.g., Broca's, Wernicke's) which describes the partial nature of the deficit.
Option C: Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It is unrelated to language or communication abilities.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Communication disorders following a stroke to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses play a vital role in identifying communication deficits and implementing strategies to facilitate interaction, ensuring patient safety and psychological well-being.
Effective communication with aphasic patients involves patience, using simple language, yes/no questions, and non-verbal cues like communication boards, which can significantly reduce patient frustration.
What if? If the patient's speech was slurred and difficult to understand, but they could write or type coherent sentences and understand everything said to them, the diagnosis would likely be dysarthria (a motor speech disorder), not aphasia (a language disorder).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question: the patient had a 'stroke' and is now 'unable to communicate'.
Focus on the term 'unable to communicate'. This points directly to a disorder of language.
Evaluate the options. 'Dysphagia' relates to swallowing, so it can be eliminated immediately.
'Dysphasia' and 'Aphasia' both relate to language. Recall that 'aphasia' typically denotes a more severe or complete loss, which fits 'unable to communicate' better.
'Partial aphasia' is not a standard term. The correct medical term is simply 'aphasia', which has various types.
Conclude that 'Aphasia' is the most precise and appropriate term for a complete inability to communicate following a stroke.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Communication disorders following a stroke
Stem keywords: stroke, unable to communicate
Lead-in keywords: is called
Clinical cues: The patient's inability to communicate is the key symptom pointing to a language disorder.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 pp. 147-149, 156-158

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 242-244