You are caring for a male patient who has not spoken to answer any of your questions, but will nod or shake his head. He appears to have a developmental disability. Which of the following is the best way to document this information on your patient care report?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This choice accurately describes the patient's behavior and indicates that he is non-verbal but able to communicate through nods and shakes of his head. The other options make assumptions about the patient's decision or ability to communicate, which may not be accurate. Option C also uses stigmatizing language about the patient's disability. Option D could be interpreted as a medical emergency where the patient is unresponsive to stimuli, which does not appear to be the case in this scenario.

You Are Caring for a Male Patient Who Has Not