The nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty understanding the written and spoken word. Which type of aphasia will the nurse report to the oncoming shift?

Choice A reason: Expressive aphasia involves difficulty producing speech or writing, not understanding language, as seen here. The patient’s issue is comprehending spoken and written words, indicating receptive aphasia. Reporting expressive aphasia risks misdiagnosis, delaying targeted speech therapy critical for addressing comprehension deficits and improving communication in affected patients. Choice B reason: Motor aphasia is not a standard term; it may confuse with expressive aphasia, which affects speech output, not comprehension. The patient’s difficulty understanding language points to receptive aphasia. Misreporting as motor risks incorrect treatment, delaying interventions like language therapy needed to support comprehension and functional communication recovery. Choice C reason: Receptive aphasia, or Wernicke’s aphasia, involves impaired comprehension of spoken and written language due to temporal lobe damage, matching the patient’s symptoms. Reporting this ensures accurate communication to the next shift, guiding targeted speech therapy and care planning to improve language processing and patient interaction in clinical settings. Choice D reason: Global aphasia involves severe deficits in both expression and comprehension, unlike the patient’s specific difficulty understanding language. Reporting global aphasia overstates the impairment, risking inappropriate interventions. Accurate identification of receptive aphasia ensures focused therapy, addressing comprehension deficits critical for effective communication and patient care.