Effective verbal communication is a vital aspect of healthcare, as it enables nurses and other healthcare professionals to accurately assess patients, provide education and instructions, and effectively collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. Factors such as cognitive impairment, hearing loss, or stroke can lead to deterioration of verbal communication, making it difficult for patients to communicate their needs and understand information provided by healthcare professionals. The nursing diagnosis of “Deterioration of Verbal Communication” is used to identify and address these potential issues.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
According to NANDA International, the official definition of this diagnosis is: “A disruption in the ability to use or understand spoken or written language due to identified factors, characterized by difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding spoken or written language, or difficulty reading or writing.”
Defining Characteristics
Subjective:
- Patient reports difficulty speaking or understanding spoken or written language
- Patient reports difficulty reading or writing
Objective:
- Observation of difficulty speaking, understanding spoken or written language, or difficulty reading or writing
- Positive results on communication assessment (e.g. Aphasia screening, hearing test)
Related Factors
- Cognitive impairment
- Hearing loss
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Dementia
- Brain disorders
- Age
- Certain medications (e.g. sedatives, antidepressants)
Risk Population
- Individuals with cognitive impairment
- Individuals with hearing loss
- Individuals who have had a stroke or head injury
- Individuals with dementia or brain disorders
- Elderly individuals
- Individuals taking certain medications
Associated Problems
- Inability to communicate needs and understand information
- Decreased social interaction and isolation
- Increased risk for medication errors
- Decreased ability to perform activities of daily living
- Decreased quality of life
Suggestions for Use
- Assess the patient’s communication abilities and identify any specific difficulties
- Identify and address any underlying causes of deterioration of verbal communication (e.g. cognitive impairment, hearing loss)
- Provide communication aids as needed (e.g. hearing aids, communication boards)
- Involve speech-language pathologist and audiologist in the care of the patient
- Encourage the patient to participate in communication therapy
- Educate the patient and their family on communication strategies and techniques
Suggested Alternative NANDA Diagnoses
- Ineffective verbal communication
- Impaired verbal communication
- Impaired spoken language
- Impaired written language
Usage Tips
- Consider the patient’s overall health status and any underlying medical conditions when making a diagnosis
- Be specific when documenting the factors that contribute to deterioration of verbal communication
- Consider using additional diagnoses to address associated problems (e.g. Ineffective verbal communication, impaired spoken language)
NOC Results
- Communication: The patient is able to effectively communicate their needs and understand information provided by healthcare professionals
- Comprehending: The patient demonstrates understanding of spoken and written language
- Expressing: The patient expresses themselves effectively using spoken and written language
NIC Interventions
- Communication Aids: Provide communication aids such as hearing aids or communication boards as needed
- Speech-Language Pathologist Consultation: Involve a speech-language pathologist in the care of the patient
- Audiologist Consultation: Involve an audiologist in the care of the patient
- Therapy: Encourage the patient to participate in communication therapy
- Education: Provide education to the patient and their family on communication strategies and techniques
Conclusion
The nursing diagnosis of “Deterioration of Verbal Communication” is an important tool for identifying and addressing potential issues related to the ability to use or understand spoken or written language. By assessing for risk factors, providing appropriate interventions, and educating the patient, nurses can help to prevent deterioration of verbal communication and promote overall health and well-being.