Nursing student needing advice on assessment for aphasic pt

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Hello, newbie here, had a very important ? regarding giving my first and seemingly complex problem. I am to give my first h-t assesment on a PT that is aphasic, my question is how do i go about getting this assmnt done if pt can't respond verbally? How will i know that she is A&O x (whatever) If i can only ask her closed-ended ?'s

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well, is the patient able to write? because you could give her a pen and paper with questions on it. or you could simply ask the nurses that already work there what the best way to go about assessing her is...

~crystal

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Hello, newbie here, had a very important ? regarding giving my first and seemingly complex problem. I am to give my first h-t assesment on a PT that is aphasic, my question is how do i go about getting this assmnt done if pt can't respond verbally? How will i know that she is A&O x (whatever) If i can only ask her closed-ended ?'s

The important thing is you assess the patient as they are. If the pt is "awake and alert and able to follow commands" you document it as such. If s/he is unable to answer questions d/t aphasia, document it. If you give the pt pen and paper and they can write the answers, great. Document how you got the info. But determining a pt is aphasic is part of your assessment findings. Also, finding a way to communicate with that pt is part of your interventions? Yes?

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Just curious, is this pt experiencing receptive or expressive aphasia? I have my degree in speech language pathology, and I might be able to give some help.

Forgive me, I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to nursing terms, but what is A&O?

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Hello, newbie here, had a very important ? regarding giving my first and seemingly complex problem. I am to give my first h-t assesment on a PT that is aphasic, my question is how do i go about getting this assmnt done if pt can't respond verbally? How will i know that she is A&O x (whatever) If i can only ask her closed-ended ?'s

First determine if the patient can answer yes/no questions appropriately, by either shaking or nodding her head or by holding up one finger for "yes," two fingers for "no." Tell her you are going to ask her some questions that you know the answer to, to determine if she understands the system. Then ask her if her name is , record correct or incorrect response.

Once you have determined the patient can answer correctly, then it is a matter of adsking questions that can be answered yes/no. If the patient answers incorrectly, notice if she is respondingin the opposite of what she really means. Sometimes the wiring in the brain gets crossed and responses are opposite of what they should be. Record this, this is very helpful information as it can be passed on in your findings, so all staff will understand how the patient is communicating.

If there is no rhyme or reason to correct/incorrect responses, you will know your patient is not oriented.

We just got a newly aphasic patient admitted and are still working on establishing communication with him. He is A&Ox3, just not able to tell us. We have a good laugh playing "twenty questions." It's also important to record any responses/gestures that you know the meaning of and pass it on to your co-workers, so everyone is on the same page.

I hope this helps!

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Just curious, is this pt experiencing receptive or expressive aphasia? I have my degree in speech language pathology, and I might be able to give some help.

Forgive me, I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to nursing terms, but what is A&O?

A&O alert and oriented. Sorry it took me a while to respond, i'm still learning how to use this site. Bear with me. The PT is expressive. I've only met her once briefly (5 min) . Pt responded to me when i asked her name. But she looked lost.

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First determine if the patient can answer yes/no questions appropriately, by either shaking or nodding her head or by holding up one finger for "yes," two fingers for "no." Tell her you are going to ask her some questions that you know the answer to, to determine if she understands the system. Then ask her if her name is , record correct or incorrect response.

Once you have determined the patient can answer correctly, then it is a matter of adsking questions that can be answered yes/no. If the patient answers incorrectly, notice if she is respondingin the opposite of what she really means. Sometimes the wiring in the brain gets crossed and responses are opposite of what they should be. Record this, this is very helpful information as it can be passed on in your findings, so all staff will understand how the patient is communicating.

If there is no rhyme or reason to correct/incorrect responses, you will know your patient is not oriented.

We just got a newly aphasic patient admitted and are still working on establishing communication with him. He is A&Ox3, just not able to tell us. We have a good laugh playing "twenty questions." It's also important to record any responses/gestures that you know the meaning of and pass it on to your co-workers, so everyone is on the same page.

I hope this helps!

I will take your suggestions into action. I just hope my PT doesn't get annoyed with me. She also has Alzhemier's (spell check) and has had a CVA. She needs total ADL care. Well wish me luck. And thanks so much for the advice :crying2:

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I will take your suggestions into action. I just hope my PT doesn't get annoyed with me. She also has Alzhemier's (spell check) and has had a CVA. She needs total ADL care. Well wish me luck. And thanks so much for the advice :crying2:

You will do fine! I have faith in you! :balloons:

Have fun!

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