Question

An 82-year-old patient who is being admitted to the hospital repeatedly asks the nurse to "speak up so that I can hear you." Which action should the nurse take?

a. Overenunciate while speaking.
b. Speak normally but more slowly.
c. Increase the volume when speaking.
d. Use more facial expressions when talking.

Answer 1

The nurse should increase the volume when speaking to an 82-year-old patient who has difficulty hearing, ensuring the voice is loud enough to be heard without shouting, and may also benefit from speaking more slowly.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an 82-year-old patient in a hospital setting repeatedly asks the nurse to “speak up so that I can hear you,” the nurse should take into consideration that older patients may have a reduced ability to hear. In this situation, the most appropriate action the nurse can take is to increase the volume when speaking (option c). The nurse should ensure not to shout but to raise their voice just enough so the patient can hear them clearly. Moreover, speaking at a slower rate can also be helpful, as it can aid in understanding for individuals with hearing impairments.