When communicating with an older client who is hearing impaired, the nurse initially:

letina · May 8, 2005

A

Presume you mean stand in front of the patient as in 'face to face'

TCASII, ADN · May 8, 2005

+1 for A

Or for those with a sense of humor, write next to A. "What's the matter? Are you deaf?"

GingerSue · May 8, 2005

I agree with A

then I looked in Jarvis who says - ask the person's preferred way to communicate - by signing, lip reading, or writing.

She goes on to say that a complete health history requires a sign language interpreter, if the person prefers lip reading be sure to face the person, do not exaggerate your lip movements.

llg, PhD, RN · May 9, 2005

I agree with A
then I looked in Jarvis who says - ask the person's preferred way to communicate - by signing, lip reading, or writing.
She goes on to say that a complete health history requires a sign language interpreter, if the person prefers lip reading be sure to face the person, do not exaggerate your lip movements.

It'a always best to find out about the preferred way of communitcating before assuming that a sign-language interpreter would work. MOST older people who are hearing impaired do NOT know sign language. People learn sign language when they are deaf as young people. Those who lose either part or even all of their hearing in late adulthood rarely learn sign language.

The question said "hearing impaired" ... which covers a wide range and many types of hearing impairments. It did not say "culturally Deaf."

Personnally ... I have a mild hearing impairment and have many friends who have become significantly hearing impaired as adults. Very few of us know any sign.

Though I agree completely about the exaggerated lip movements. Abnormal movements often make speach harder to read, not easier.

llg

jschut, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

A

lady_jezebel · May 9, 2005

I have a test question:
When communicating with an older client who is hearing impaired, the nurse initially:
A. Stands in front of the client
B. Exaggerates lip movements
C Obtains a sign language interpreter
D. Pantomimes and writes the client notes
Which one is correct?
Thank you for your reply

A

shadowflightnurse · May 9, 2005

I would say D.

A&B assumes the patient can read lips.

C assumes the patient can sign.

Then again D assumes the patient can READ!!

Typical nursing school trickery.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

A

gerry79 · May 9, 2005

Was just reading that while studying for my final and the answer is A

kerrkerrGaGirl · May 9, 2005

A

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · May 9, 2005

I have a test question:
When communicating with an older client who is hearing impaired, the nurse initially:
A. Stands in front of the client
B. Exaggerates lip movements
C Obtains a sign language interpreter
D. Pantomimes and writes the client notes
Which one is correct?
Thank you for your reply

I say "A", because that is the first thing you'd do so that the client can read your lips. You'd need to initially do that before exaggerating lip mvmt, obtain a sign language interpreter, or pantomime and write the client notes.

Just my $0.02 :wink2:

Jess