A 47-year-old patient will attempt oral feedings for the first time since having a stroke. The nurse should assess the gag reflex and then
a. order a varied pureed diet.
b. assess the patient's appetite.
c. assist the patient into a chair.
d. offer the patient a sip of juice.
ANS: C
The patient should be as upright as possible before attempting feeding to make swallowing easier and decrease aspiration risk. To assess swallowing ability, the nurse should initially offer water or ice to the patient. Pureed diets are not recommended because the texture is too smooth. The patient may have a poor appetite, but the oral feeding should be attempted regardless.
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