Clients with special needs require specific communication techniques. Which specific communication techniques should a nurse utilize when caring for a client who is cognitively impaired?

A. Keep communication simple and concrete: Using simple, straightforward language helps clients who are cognitively impaired to better understand the information being conveyed. Concrete language minimizes confusion and makes it easier for the client to process and respond to what is being said, promoting effective communication.

B. Focus on the client's family: While involving the client's family can be important for support and understanding, the primary focus should be on the client themselves. Communication techniques should prioritize addressing the needs and comprehension of the cognitively impaired client directly.

C. Use open-ended questions: Open-ended questions may be challenging for cognitively impaired clients, as they require more complex processing and can lead to confusion. It is often more effective to use closed questions that allow for simple yes or no responses, making it easier for the client to engage in the conversation.

D. Demonstrate or pantomime ideas: While demonstration can be helpful, it should complement verbal communication rather than replace it. For cognitively impaired clients, combining simple verbal instructions with visual cues or demonstrations can enhance understanding but should not be the sole technique used. It’s important to assess the individual client's abilities and preferences when employing this method.

• Client's hearing deficit: The client’s hearing loss poses a significant barrier to effective communication. Without a hearing aid, the client may have difficulty understanding verbal communication, leading to misunderstandings.

• Volume of the client's television: A loud television creates distracting background noise, making it challenging for the nurse to communicate clearly. This can hinder the client's ability to hear and comprehend important information during interactions.

• Numerous visitors in the client's room: Having multiple visitors can create distractions and noise, making it difficult for the nurse to effectively communicate with the client. Visitors may also divert the client’s attention, impacting their ability to engage in discussions with the nurse.

• Increase in pain after ambulation: The reported increase in pain can affect the client’s focus and engagement in communication. When experiencing pain, the client may find it challenging to concentrate on conversations, which impacts the overall effectiveness of communication with the nurse.

• Adverse effects of opioid analgesic: While not explicitly mentioned in the initial scenario, opioid analgesics can cause side effects such as sedation and confusion, which may impair the client’s ability to communicate effectively. This could lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication.

• Using earphones while listening to music: This factor, if present, would create a barrier to communication, as it would prevent the client from hearing the nurse's questions or instructions. However, it was not explicitly stated in the scenario.