The nurse is delegating the feeding of an older adult client to ancillary personnel. Which of the following should the nurse include in the instructions as possible warning signs of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)? (Select all that apply.)
1. Delay in swallowing food
2. Easily triggered gag reflex
3. Absence of a gag reflex
4. Uncoordinated speech
5. Disinterest in eating
6. Pocketing food
ANS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Signs of dysphagia include the following: cough during eating; change in voice tone or quality after swallowing; abnormal movements of the mouth, tongue, or lips; and slow, weak, imprecise, or uncoordinated speech. Abnormal gag reflex, delayed swallowing, incomplete oral clearance or pocketing, regurgitation, pharyngeal pooling, delayed or absent trigger of swallow, and inability to speak consistently are other signs of dysphagia.
You might also like to view...
A nurse caring for an Orthodox Jewish patient should recognize that dietary requirements for this patient include:
a. mixing of milk and meat at a meal. b. use of separate cooking utensils for meat and milk products. c. use of one set of cooking utensils for meat and milk products. d. consumption of food not slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law.
With regard to the newborn's developing cardiovascular system, nurses should be aware that
a. The heart rate of a crying infant may rise to 120 beats/min. b. Heart murmurs heard after the first few hours are cause for concern. c. The point of maximal impulse (PMI) often is visible on the chest wall. d. Persistent bradycardia may indicate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
A nurse implements a program that focuses on secondary prevention. Which of the following is most likely the topic of this program?
a. Rehabilitation b. Avoidance of high-risk behaviors c. Immunization d. Mammogram
What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion?
a. Individuals with depression show suppression of plasma cortisol when given dexamethasone. b. Individuals with depression have a decreased plasma cortisol level, despite the administration of exogenous corticosteroids. c. Individuals with depression show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol levels can result in inflammation that is believed to trigger depression. d. Individuals with depression have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when they take antidepressant medication as prescribed