Agnosia
Aphasia, Wernicke
Delirium
Ischemic Stroke
Stroke

Wernicke Aphasia

Wernicke aphasia (WA) represents a fluent aphasia characterized by markedly impaired auditory verbal comprehension with relatively preserved rate, prosody, and grammar but frequent semantic and phonemic paraphasias, neologisms, and jargon. The lesion classically localizes to the posterior superior temporal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere and most commonly follows acute ischemic stroke involving the inferior division of the middle cerebral artery. Reading and writing often mirror spoken-language deficits; repetition is typically impaired, and anosognosia is frequently observed. Bedside evaluation assesses naming, fluency, comprehension of single-step and multistep commands, repetition, reading, and writing; formal tools (eg, the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination) and neuroimaging help confirm the diagnosis and exclude mimics such as delirium or Alzheimer disease. Recovery typically peaks within 2 to 6 months after the stroke, depending on lesion location and size, patient age, and the integrity of contralateral networks. Extension into the middle or inferior temporal gyri or the inferior parietal lobule often portends poorer outcomes. This course equips participants to recognize WA rapidly, perform a structured language examination, select appropriate imaging and neuropsychological testing, and initiate evidence-informed communication strategies. Instruction emphasizes secondary stroke prevention and medication optimization in coordination with a pharmacist and tailored speech-language therapy planning with a speech-language pathologist, neuropsychologist, and neurologist. Collaboration with occupational and physical therapists supports functional recovery and safety; nursing, case management, and social work reinforce caregiver education and community resources. An interprofessional approach aligns goals across disciplines, reduces communication barriers, improves adherence to rehabilitation, and measurably enhances patient-centered outcomes, including…

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.