Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Which approach is most effective in managing a patient with dysarthria?

1. Allowing the patient to use an alphabet board or to write/sign communication

2. Increasing the patient's endurance for speech

3. Using gestures and removing distracting stimuli

4. Directing the patient to use full sentences

The correct answer is: Increasing the patient's endurance for speech

The most effective approach in managing a patient with dysarthria involves increasing the patient's endurance for speech. This is vital because individuals with dysarthria often struggle with clarity and articulation due to weak or uncoordinated muscles used in speech. By focusing on endurance, the therapy can enhance the patient's ability to sustain longer periods of speech without fatigue, leading to improved clarity and communication effectiveness over time. Therapeutic strategies aimed at endurance can incorporate breathing exercises, speech practice where the patient gradually increases their speaking time, and muscle strengthening techniques. This approach not only helps in achieving clearer speech but also promotes confidence and motivation in communication. While other options, such as using alphabet boards or gestures, may assist with communication, they don't directly address the underlying muscular issues that can hinder speech performance. Thus, their usefulness is often more supplementary rather than a primary method of managing dysarthria. Focusing on endurance equips patients with a foundational skill necessary for effective speech, leading to better overall communication abilities.