Aphasic patient have a problem with?

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the language centers of the brain, most commonly from a stroke.
It directly impairs a person's ability to process and use language, affecting speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing.
"Trouble speaking" is a hallmark symptom of aphasia, particularly expressive (Broca's) aphasia, where a person knows what they want to say but has difficulty forming the words.

Option B: This describes hearing loss, a sensory deficit related to the ears. Aphasia is a neurological deficit in the brain's language centers; the person can hear but cannot process the language.
Option C: This describes anosmia, a deficit in the sense of smell. This is related to the olfactory system, not the brain's language network.
Option D: This describes a motor system disorder, such as paralysis or apraxia. While a stroke can cause both motor and language problems, aphasia itself is a language disorder, not a loss of muscle control.

Visual 1: Diagram: A lateral view of the left cerebral hemisphere, highlighting the locations of Broca's area (in the frontal lobe) and Wernicke's area (at the temporoparietal junction) to show the key language centers.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Definition and primary characteristic of aphasia to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Communicating with aphasic patients requires patience and specific strategies. Nurses should use short, simple sentences, ask yes/no questions, use gestures or pictures, and allow ample time for the patient to respond.
It is crucial to differentiate aphasia from confusion or cognitive decline. The patient may be fully aware and intelligent but unable to express themselves, which can cause immense frustration.
What if? If a patient has receptive (Wernicke's) aphasia, they won't understand your spoken or written words. The nursing priority shifts from helping them speak to finding non-verbal ways to communicate and ensure safety, as they may not comprehend instructions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: "Aphasic patient".
Recall the definition of aphasia. It is a disorder of language and communication, not of sensation (hearing, smell) or general motor control.
Evaluate each option based on this definition:
'Trouble speaking' is a core language function.
'Unable to hear' is a sensory (auditory) function.
'Unable to recognize smell' is a sensory (olfactory) function.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.