A patient recovering from thoracic surgery is on long-term mechanical ventilation and becomes very frustrated when he tries to communicate. What intervention should the nurse perform to assist the patient?

Assure the patient that everything will be all right and that remaining calm is the best strategy.

Ask a family member to interpret what the patient is trying to communicate.

Ask the physician to wean the patient off the mechanical ventilator to allow the patient to speak freely.

Express empathy and then encourage the patient to write, use a picture board, or spell words with an alphabet board.