A patient in the acute phase of a CVA who has been speaking distinctly begins to speak indistinctly and only with great effort but still coherent.What should this nurse determine when assessing this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's new onset of speaking indistinctly and with great effort suggests a change in their condition, indicating a possible stroke in evolution. The presence of dysarthria - difficulty speaking due to muscle weakness or poor coordination - further suggests involvement in the brainstem or motor pathways related to speech. A lacunar stroke typically causes small, focal deficits and would not likely result in global aphasia or such a noticeable change in speech, while a complete stroke with global aphasia would result in an inability to communicate purposefully, not just difficulty with articulation. Dyspraxia, the inability to plan and execute coordinated movements, would not necessarily affect speech specifically.

A Patient in the Acute Phase of a CVA Who