A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia following a stroke. The nurse should recommend a referral to which of the following members of the interdisciplinary team?
Speech therapist
Respiratory therapist
Occupational therapist
Physical therapist
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, specialize in evaluating and treating swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) among other speech and language issues. They are trained to assess and provide therapies to improve swallowing function, ensuring safe and effective swallowing to prevent aspiration and related complications.
Choice B Reason:
Respiratory therapists primarily focus on the respiratory system and breathing issues. While they play a crucial role in managing respiratory problems, their expertise generally centers around respiratory treatments, ventilator management, and pulmonary function testing. They might assist if dysphagia leads to aspiration and subsequent respiratory complications, but the primary management of dysphagia itself falls within the scope of a speech therapist.
Choice C Reason:
Occupational therapists assist individuals in regaining independence in daily activities. While they may help with certain aspects of dysphagia management, their primary focus isn't specifically on evaluating and treating swallowing disorders. They might address related issues, such as adapting eating utensils or positioning during meals to assist the client, but they may not have the specialized training needed for direct dysphagia therapy.
Choice D Reason:
Physical therapists primarily focus on improving mobility, strength, and physical function. While they might address certain issues related to oral motor function or posture during eating that could affect swallowing, their expertise lies more in physical rehabilitation rather than the specialized treatment of dysphagia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Assisting the client to the restroom 30 minutes after meals is correct recommendation. This intervention aligns with the natural response of the gastrocolic reflex, which often leads to increased colonic motility after eating. Timing the restroom visit to this period can take advantage of the body's natural tendency to have a bowel movement after meals, potentially aiding in achieving bowel continence.
Choice B Reason:
Limiting the client's physical activity until bowel continence is achieved is not appropriate. Physical activity can actually stimulate bowel function and regularity. Moderate physical activity, as appropriate for the client's condition, can promote regular bowel movements. Restricting physical activity might hinder the overall success of bowel training.
Choice C Reason:
Limiting the client's fluid intake to 1500 mL/dayis not appropriate. Adequate hydration is crucial for bowel health and regularity. Limiting fluid intake could lead to dehydration and constipation, which can exacerbate fecal incontinence. It's important to encourage adequate hydration unless there are specific medical reasons to restrict fluids.
Choice D Reason:
Instructing the client to limit their intake of high-fiber foods is incorrect. High-fiber foods are beneficial for bowel regularity and can help manage fecal incontinence by promoting healthy bowel movements. Limiting high-fiber foods could potentially lead to constipation or exacerbate the issue of fecal incontinence.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The client has a delayed response to verbal commands. This finding can indicate increased intracranial pressure. Changes in responsiveness, such as delayed responses to verbal commands or other stimuli, can be indicative of neurological impairment due to elevated pressure within the skull.
Choice B Reason:
The client has ecchymosis around the eyes. Ecchymosis around the eyes (raccoon eyes) can occur with certain head injuries, but it's not a direct sign of increased intracranial pressure. It's more commonly associated with basilar skull fractures rather than specifically reflecting increased pressure within the skull.
Choice C Reason:
The client is unable to remember details of the motor-vehicle crash. Memory impairment or amnesia regarding the event can occur due to head trauma, but it might not directly correlate with an increase in intracranial pressure. It's more related to the effects of the injury on memory function.
Choice D Reason:
The client reports ringing in the ears. Tinnitus or ringing in the ears might occur in some cases of head trauma but is not a direct indicator of increased intracranial pressure. It might result from the impact of the injury or other associated factors.
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