The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a total laryngectomy and radical neck dissection for cancer of the larynx. The client asks the nurse, "How will I talk after the surgery?" Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?
A)"You will breathe through a permanent opening in your neck, but you will not be able to communicate orally."
B)"You won't be able to talk right after surgery, but you will be able to speak again after the tracheostomy tube is removed."
C)"You won't be able to speak as you used to, but there are artificial voice devices that will give you the ability to speak normally."
D)"You will have a permanent opening into your neck, and you will need to have rehabilitation for some type of voice restoration."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Voice restoration is planned after a total laryngectomy, and a variety of assistive devices are available to restore communication. Although the ability to communicate orally is changed, it would not be appropriate to tell a client that this ability would be lost. Artificial voice devices do not permit normal-sounding speech. In a total laryngectomy, the vocal cords are removed, so normal speech is impossible.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Is Scheduled