While caring for my patient in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, I assisted another nurse who was helping her seventy-one year old patient ambulate to promote circulation and reduce the patient's risk of development. pneumonia. It also helps the patient develop strength and confidence after such a major surgery as this patient underwent. This patient suffered from nonischemic cardiomyopathy and had a history of cocaine and alcohol abuse, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and hypertension. She was fitted with a left ventricular assist device, and ten days after the device was placed, she was diagnosed with H1N1, performed a tracheotomy and placed on a ventilator. As she had to wear a mask when she left her room and had a tracheotomy, it was very difficult to understand the patient's needs, and this concerned me greatly. If the nurse is unable to understand the patient's needs, the patient is in danger. Grossbach, Stranberg, and Chlan (2011) state that “communication difficulties often cause anxiety, frustration, and fear in patients.” (p. 47). Patients in intensive care are already under considerable stress due to the severity of their illness, and they do not need to experience more stress because it can slow the healing process. Therefore, it is pertinent to find other ways to communicate effectively with your patient when obstacles exist, such as this one. The nurse I helped move this patient was much more knowledgeable than I about the strategies developed to communicate with this patient. was. When the nurse communicated with this patient, she spoke directly to him, which allowed him to... middle of paper ... this could lead to adverse effects. Through this experience, I became a better nurse. I am more aware of key strategies I can use with my patients who are unable to clearly express their needs, and I have a broader understanding and increased appreciation of communication. This is something that many take for granted on a daily basis, and it is a very important factor in meeting our needs. Without communication, nurses are unable to provide patient care because they do not know the patient's needs. Therefore, as nurses, it is extremely important and our responsibility to communicate effectively with all of our patients every day. Works CitedGrossbach, I., Stranberg, S. and Chlan, L. (2011). Promote effective communication for patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Intensive Care Nursing, 31(3), 46-61. doi: 10.4037/ccn2010728