1.19 Nursing Intervention with Patients with Special Communication Needs

Blind Patients.

  • Always speak to the patient when you enter the room so he will know who is there.
  • Speak directly to the patient; do not turn your back.
  • Speak to the patient in a normal tone of voice; he is blind, not deaf.
  • Speak to the patient before touching him/her.
  • Offer to help with arrangements for patients who may enjoy hearing tapes or reading Braille literature.

Deaf Patients.

  • Look directly at the patient when speaking with him/her.
  • Do not cover your mouth when speaking because the patient may read lips.
  • If the patient does not lip-read, charts with pictures may be used, or simply writing your questions or comments on a piece of paper may be helpful.
  • Charts with hand signs are available at the local society for deafness and/or hearing preservation.

Patients Speaking a Foreign Language.

  • Obtain a translator if possible. The Red Cross or the Patient Administration Division (PAD) may be of assistance.
  • Have a chart with basic phrases in English and the foreign language.
  • Consider using charts with pictures.

Basic Nursing Education