Communicating with Pt with Aphasia

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I'm a nursing student doing my initial clinicals in a EFC. My pt is has aphasia in which she either responds using a white board or a mechanical board. Any suggestion in how I can communicate with her on a therapeutic level?

Kris

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Specializes in nursing home care.

It can be difficult to go by yes and no answers sometimes. We have a man who has a white board and an alphabet chart but more often refuses to use either. His hand signal which used to mean change the channel on tv now seems to mean anything and everything.

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Specializes in critical Care/ICU-traveler.

I would rely on the assistance of the staff who know her best. I bet they can tell what she wants even if she cant ask for it...kinda like a mom knows what the baby wants or needs.

Good luck! Its really difficult and sad.

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