A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following complications?

A. Pneumonia:
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can lead to aspiration, where food or liquids enter the airway and lungs instead of the stomach. This can result in pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Clients with dysphagia are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia due to the aspiration of foreign material into the lungs.

B. Pressure Injury:
Pressure injuries (formerly known as pressure ulcers or bedsores) are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, usually over bony prominences. Dysphagia itself is not directly related to pressure injuries. These injuries are more commonly associated with immobility and constant pressure on specific areas of the body.

C. Pulmonary Embolism:
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary artery, usually by a blood clot that travels to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body. While dysphagia is not directly associated with pulmonary embolism, conditions that cause immobility (such as being bedridden due to dysphagia) can contribute to the risk of developing blood clots.

D. Diarrhea:
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing and is not directly related to diarrhea. Diarrhea is often associated with gastrointestinal issues, infections, or dietary factors. Monitoring for complications of dysphagia would primarily focus on respiratory issues, such as aspiration pneumonia.

A. Iron:
Function: Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It is vital for oxygen transport and overall cellular function.
Relevance: Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, characterized by reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, resulting in fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.

B. Magnesium:
Function: Magnesium is involved in various cellular processes, including muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and bone health.
Relevance: While magnesium has important functions in the body, it is not directly involved in the transport of oxygen like iron.

C. Phosphorus:

Function: Phosphorus is a key component of DNA, RNA, and ATP, playing a role in energy metabolism, bone health, and acid-base balance.
Relevance: While important for cellular processes, phosphorus is not specifically linked to the transport of oxygen.

D. Potassium:
Function: Potassium is crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions.
Relevance: Potassium is not directly involved in the transport of oxygen; its primary functions are related to electrolyte balance and cellular activities.