Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following could be a barrier to effective communication with a client?

1. Client's hearing deficit.

2. Adverse effects of opioid analgesic.

3. Numerous visitors in the client's room.

4. Using earphones while listening to music.

The correct answer is: Client's hearing deficit.

A client's hearing deficit can significantly hinder effective communication. When a client has difficulty hearing, it can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and a breakdown in the communication process. This can affect the client's ability to understand instructions, express their needs, or engage meaningfully in discussions regarding their care. Addressing this barrier involves using strategies such as ensuring a quiet environment, speaking clearly, and possibly employing assistive devices like hearing aids to facilitate better interaction. Other barriers, such as the adverse effects of opioid analgesics or numerous visitors in a client's room, can also impact communication but tend to do so indirectly by causing distraction or altering the client's cognitive state. Similarly, using earphones while listening to music is a situational barrier that affects attention but does not stem from a permanent health condition like a hearing deficit does. Each barrier poses its challenges, but a hearing deficit stands out as a primary obstacle that directly impairs the fundamental ability to receive and comprehend spoken information.