The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with expressive aphasia from a traumatic brain injury. Which goal will the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A reason: Expressive aphasia impairs speech production due to brain injury, but patients can often use nonverbal methods like gestures or facial expressions. Including a goal for nonverbal communication is realistic, promoting effective interaction while speech therapy progresses. This aligns with the patient’s current abilities and supports functional communication. Choice B reason: Recovering full speech vocabulary in one day is unrealistic for expressive aphasia, which requires prolonged speech therapy due to neurological damage. This goal sets false expectations, ignoring the chronic nature of traumatic brain injury recovery, and is not appropriate for the care plan. Choice C reason: Carrying a pen and pad may help some patients, but expressive aphasia does not guarantee writing ability, as written language can also be impaired. This goal is less broadly applicable than nonverbal communication, which leverages intact motor and emotional expression, making it a less suitable choice. Choice D reason: Thickening drinks prevents aspiration in dysphagia, not aphasia. Expressive aphasia affects speech, not swallowing. This goal is irrelevant to the patient’s condition, as there is no indication of swallowing difficulty, making it an incorrect focus for the care plan.