A nurse is caring for a client who had a right sided stroke and is exhibiting homonymous hemianopsia when eating. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Placing food on the weaker side of the mouth when eating is not an effective strategy for a client who has dysphagia. This can increase the risk of choking or aspiration, as the food may not be chewed properly or may slip into the airway. The client should place food on the stronger side of the mouth and use the tongue to move it to the back of the throat for swallowing.

Choice B reason: Tilting the head forward when swallowing is an effective technique for a client who has dysphagia. This can help to close off the airway and prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs. The client should also tuck the chin down to the chest and swallow hard.

Choice C reason: Coughing while swallowing food is not a desirable outcome for a client who has dysphagia. This can indicate that the food is going into the wrong pipe and causing irritation or obstruction. The client should try to avoid coughing while swallowing and clear the throat after each bite or sip.

Choice D reason: Sitting at a 30° angle while eating meals is not a sufficient position for a client who has dysphagia. This can still allow food or liquid to flow back into the throat and cause choking or aspiration. The client should sit upright at a 90° angle and remain in that position for at least 30 minutes after eating.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Right hemiparesis is not a common finding in clients who had a stroke involving the right hemisphere. Hemiparesis is the weakness or partial paralysis of one side of the body. It usually affects the opposite side of the body from the side of the brain that is damaged by the stroke. Therefore, a stroke in the right hemisphere would more likely cause left hemiparesis, not right hemiparesis.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Aphasia is not a common finding in clients who had a stroke involving the right hemisphere. Aphasia is the loss or impairment of language functions, such as speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. It usually affects the dominant hemisphere of the brain, which is the left hemisphere for most people. Therefore, a stroke in the right hemisphere would less likely cause aphasia, unless the person is lefthanded or ambidextrous.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Inability to recognize his family members is a common finding in clients who had a stroke involving the right hemisphere. This is a type of agnosia, which is the loss or impairment of the ability to recognize objects, people, sounds, shapes, or smells. The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for processing visual and spatial information, as well as facial recognition. A stroke in this area can damage the ability to identify familiar faces, even those of close relatives or friends.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Difficulty reading is not a common finding in clients who had a stroke involving the right hemisphere. Reading is a language function that involves the recognition and comprehension of written words. It usually depends on the dominant hemisphere of the brain, which is the left hemisphere for most people. Therefore, a stroke in the right hemisphere would less likely cause difficulty reading, unless the person is lefthanded or ambidextrous.