Based on the information provided, a comprehensive assessment of Sarah’s speech, cognition, and orientation would be necessary. In order to properly assess her condition, it would be beneficial to know how recent her injury was and how long she was unconscious post-injury, as this can alter the prognosis of her condition. Assumedly, the Glasgow Coma Scale was completed on Sarah when paramedics first arrived on scene, and would be inappropriate to complete after surgery, as the anesthetic could skew results; however, I would complete the Rancho Los Amigos scale, had it not be completed prior to a potential MRI. Because Sarah is currently in surgery, it would be assumed that she had also already had an MRI and these scales had already been completed.
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An evaluation should be completed with regards to speech, language, cognition, and swallowing (ASHA). Due to the punctured lung, I would also want to complete a voice evaluation, as this may influence her breath support.
Once time is permits and Sarah is not too exhausted, I would complete a comprehensive evaluation on her that will assess the severity of her assumed Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It should be noted, however, that as a Speech-Language Pathologist, it is not within my scope of practice to diagnose TBI; instead, I would need to review a physician or neurologist’s work, such as an MRI report, and assess accordingly.
In addition, I would complete a standardized assessment. I would want to find out her and her family’s primary area of concern and her individual goals, if she is oriented enough to complete these. I would administer a standardized test such as the Scale of Cognitive and Communicative Ability of Neurorehabilitation (SCCAN) or the Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury (SCATBI). The SCCAN assesses impairment and functional activity, and can be completed in a relatively short period of time. In addition, the SCCAN was normed on individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury, in addition to other disorders. The SCATBI, in contrast, is normed for Traumatic Brain Injury, however takes 2 hours to administer and may not be practical under the
An evaluation should be completed with regards to speech, language, cognition, and swallowing (ASHA). Due to the punctured lung, I would also want to complete a voice evaluation, as this may influence her breath support.
Once time is permits and Sarah is not too exhausted, I would complete a comprehensive evaluation on her that will assess the severity of her assumed Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It should be noted, however, that as a Speech-Language Pathologist, it is not within my scope of practice to diagnose TBI; instead, I would need to review a physician or neurologist’s work, such as an MRI report, and assess accordingly.
In addition, I would complete a standardized assessment. I would want to find out her and her family’s primary area of concern and her individual goals, if she is oriented enough to complete these. I would administer a standardized test such as the Scale of Cognitive and Communicative Ability of Neurorehabilitation (SCCAN) or the Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury (SCATBI). The SCCAN assesses impairment and functional activity, and can be completed in a relatively short period of time. In addition, the SCCAN was normed on individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury, in addition to other disorders. The SCATBI, in contrast, is normed for Traumatic Brain Injury, however takes 2 hours to administer and may not be practical under the