A patient presents with a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg during a routine check-up. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?

A. Provide a speech-generating device for communication: While helpful for some patients with expressive aphasia, devices may be complex or unfamiliar to a patient immediately post-stroke. It is more appropriate as an adjunct once the patient is comfortable using it.

B. Speak slowly and use simple sentences to aid comprehension: This technique supports patients with receptive aphasia, who have difficulty understanding language. For expressive aphasia, comprehension is typically intact, so this does not directly address their communication needs.

C. Encourage the patient to use gestures or drawings: Patients with expressive aphasia can understand language but have difficulty verbalizing thoughts. Using nonverbal methods such as gestures, drawings, or pointing allows the patient to convey ideas effectively and reduces frustration, facilitating meaningful communication.

D. Use written communication to ensure understanding: Writing may be difficult for patients with expressive aphasia, especially if fine motor or language expression deficits are present. This method may not be as effective initially as gestures or drawings.

A. Objective: Objective data consist of measurable or observable findings such as vital signs, physical exam results, or diagnostic data. Headache and dizziness cannot be directly measured by the nurse and rely on the patient’s description. These findings do not belong in the objective section.

B. Plan: The plan section outlines intended nursing interventions, treatments, or follow-up actions based on assessment findings. Patient-reported symptoms are used to guide planning but are not documented within this section. The plan focuses on what will be done, not what the patient feels.

C. Evaluation: Evaluation documents the patient’s response to interventions and whether outcomes were achieved. Headache and dizziness may be reassessed later in this section after treatment. Initial symptom reporting does not fit evaluation charting.

D. Subjective: Subjective data include symptoms and experiences reported directly by the patient. Complaints such as headache and dizziness reflect the patient’s personal perception and cannot be independently verified. These findings are appropriately documented in the subjective section.