The inability for a resident to express himself as a result of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is called

• A. Aphasia
• B. Dysphagia
• C. Ataxia
• D. Dementia

Answer: (A)

Expressive language impairment after brain injury is what’s being described. A cerebrovascular accident can damage language areas of the brain, making it hard to speak, name objects, or express thoughts clearly. This situation is called aphasia. It may affect speaking, understanding, reading, or writing, and different people experience different patterns, such as trouble forming words or finding the right words. In caregiving, respond with patience: give extra time to respond, use simple sentences, offer nonverbal cues or writing as needed, and involve a speech-language pathologist for assessment and therapy. The other terms refer to different problems: dysphagia is swallowing difficulty, ataxia is impaired coordination, and dementia is a progressive decline in intellectual function, none of which specifically describe an inability to express oneself after a stroke.