A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who has aphasia following a stroke. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to assist the client with communication?

A. Administer an analgesic 30 min before starting the procedure: Correct. Before performing wound irrigation, it is essential to provide pain relief to the client. Administering an analgesic 30 minutes before the procedure will help manage pain during wound irrigation.
B. Hold the syringe 5 cm (2 in) above the upper end of the wound: This action does not contribute to proper wound irrigation. The nurse should direct the irrigation solution to the wound site to cleanse it effectively.
C. Place the irrigation solution in a basin of cool water: Using cool water is not the best practice for wound irrigation. The irrigation solution should be at room temperature or a temperature specified by the healthcare provider.
D. Perform the wound irrigation with a 10mL syringe with an angiocatheter: Wound irrigation typically requires a larger volume of fluid to adequately cleanse the wound. A 10mL syringe may not be sufficient, and using an angiocatheter is not appropriate for wound irrigation. A larger syringe or irrigation solution bag with an appropriate wound irrigation tool is usually used.

A. Keep the conversation moving by asking about the client's family: While engaging the client in conversation is important, this statement does not specifically address the client's difficulty in talking about their illness.
B. Let the client know that as their nurse, they are available and willing to listen: Correct. This response demonstrates the nurse's willingness to provide emotional support and active listening. Encouraging the client to express their feelings and concerns about their illness is essential in promoting therapeutic communication.
C. Ask if the client understands what to expect in the advanced stages of the illness: While discussing the client's understanding of their illness is essential, it does not directly address their difficulty in talking to others about it.
D. Ask the client's visitors not to say anything about the advanced disease: This response may hinder communication and restrict the client's opportunity to talk about their feelings and concerns with supportive visitors.