Question

A client with schizophrenia says “skipping, whipping, tripping” over and over during his waking hours. Which would be a correct label for the nurse to use when documenting this communication? A. word salad B. clang association C. neologism D. echolalia

Short answer

The correct label for the nurse to use when documenting the client's communication is B. clang association.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Terms

Familiarize yourself with the psychiatric terms related to speech patterns often seen in schizophrenia. 'Word salad' refers to a mix of words and phrases that lack comprehensive meaning. 'Clang association' involves speech governed by the sound of words, often rhyming. 'Neologism' means inventing new words that are meaningless to others. 'Echolalia' is the repetition of another person's spoken words.

Identify the Pattern

Analyze the client's speech pattern. Since the client is repeating words that rhyme, we can identify it as a pattern associated with the sound of words.

Correctly Label the Communication

Given that the client's speech consists of rhyming words, the correct term to use when documenting this pattern of communication is 'clang association'.

Key concepts

Clang Association

Clang association is a type of speech disturbance associated with certain psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia. It is characterized by the person's speech being led by the sound of words, particularly by rhyming or similar sounding words, regardless of their meaning. This can create an impression of poetry or rhythmic speaking, but it typically results in sentences that don't make logical sense.

For example, a patient who exhibits clang association may say 'skipping, whipping, tripping' repeatedly. This pattern of speech can make communication challenging since the words are connected by sound rather than coherent ideas. It's an important term for nursing professionals to recognize and properly document in patient records because it's indicative of the patient's cognitive and psychiatric status. Documenting this accurately is crucial for developing effective care plans and interventions.

Schizophrenia Communication Patterns

Communication patterns in individuals with schizophrenia can vary significantly, and understanding these is key in psychiatric nursing. Schizophrenia may affect communication in several ways, often making it difficult for the person to convey thoughts logically. These can include disorganized thinking leading to incoherent speech (word salad), creation of new words (neologism), mimicry of speech (echolalia), and, as previously discussed, clang association.

Recognizing these patterns is vital in the therapeutic process, as they can provide insights into the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment. Nurses play a crucial role in monitoring these communication patterns and providing feedback to the rest of the healthcare team. By observing and documenting these patterns, nurses contribute to a better understanding of the patient's needs and responses to therapy.

Psychiatric Nursing Terminology

In psychiatric nursing, precise terminology is essential for clear communication among healthcare providers and for the accurate documentation of patient status and progress. Terms like 'word salad', 'clang association', 'neologism', and 'echolalia' are used to describe specific speech patterns that may point to underlying mental health conditions.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for psychiatric nurses as it allows them to identify symptoms, document clinical findings, and communicate effectively with the clinical team. It's also important because it can affect the treatment plan, as certain speech patterns can be targeted in therapy. For students and professionals alike, a strong grasp of psychiatric nursing terms underpins successful patient assessments and interventions. It sets the foundation for all aspects of care, from initial diagnosis to ongoing treatment and support.