Question

If a patient with severe dysarthria because of MS but with good cognition is admitted to an ambulatory surgery center and needs to answer questions, the best way to get information is to ask?

1) Open ended questions
2) Yes/no questions
3) The patient to write answers
4) Questions of the caregiver

Answer 1

For a patient with severe dysarthria and good cognition, it is most effective to ask yes/no questions or invite the patient to write answers to facilitate clear communication while respecting their autonomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When communicating with a patient who has severe dysarthria due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) but retains good cognition, utilizing yes/no questions can be highly effective. These types of questions reduce the need for complex speech production, which the patient may find challenging due to dysarthria, and they allow for easier and clearer communication. If the patient is able to write without difficulty despite their condition, inviting the patient to write answers could also be helpful. However, reliance on a caregiver should be a last resort and only considered if the patient is unable to communicate effectively even with simplified questions or written responses, as it is important to respect the patient's autonomy and cognitive capacity.