A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dysphagia and left-sided weakness following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Instruct the client to tilt her head back when she swallows.
Place food on the left side of the client’s mouth.
Add thickener to fluids.
Serve food at room temperature.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Instruct the client to tilt her head back when she swallows.
Tipping the head back during swallowing is not recommended, especially for individuals with dysphagia. It can increase the risk of aspiration, as it may interfere with the normal swallowing mechanism. The head should be kept in a neutral position during swallowing.
B. Place food on the left side of the client’s mouth.
Placing food on the side with weakness may lead to difficulty in chewing and increased risk of aspiration. The placement of food should be based on the individual's ability and preference, and it's important to consider the safety of swallowing.
C. Add thickener to fluids.
This is the correct choice. Adding thickener to fluids can help modify their consistency, making them easier to swallow and reducing the risk of aspiration. The appropriate thickness should be determined based on the individual's ability to swallow safely.
D. Serve food at room temperature.
While serving food at room temperature may be a preference for some individuals, it is not specifically addressing the safety concerns related to dysphagia and left-sided weakness. The focus should be on modifying food textures and consistencies to ensure safe swallowing.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Xerostomia
Xerostomia is dry mouth, a condition where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. It can have various causes, including medications, medical conditions, or dehydration. Xerostomia is not directly related to teeth grinding.
B. Halitosis
Halitosis is bad breath. While dental issues, including bruxism (teeth grinding), can contribute to bad breath, halitosis itself does not specifically describe teeth grinding.
C. Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or clenching, especially during sleep. If a client suspects or reports grinding their teeth at night, it is appropriate to document and discuss the issue as bruxism. Bruxism can lead to dental problems, jaw pain, and headaches.
D. Sordes
Sordes refers to a collection of foul matter, such as debris or crusted material, around the mouth. It is not related to teeth grinding.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Reduction of the fracture:
Buck's traction is not primarily intended for the reduction (realignment) of the fractured bones. While it may help maintain proper alignment, the primary goal is to provide temporary immobilization and relieve muscle spasms until more definitive treatment, such as surgery, can be performed.
B. Relief from muscle spasms:
This is the correct answer. Buck's traction is commonly used to alleviate muscle spasms associated with hip fractures. The traction force helps to relax the muscles, reduce pain, and maintain the alignment of the fractured bones.
C. Alignment of the pins:
Buck's traction does not involve the insertion of pins into the bone. It uses a boot attached to the leg, and the traction force is applied externally to the limb to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.
D. Support for moving the extremity:
Buck's traction is not intended to support active movement of the extremity. Instead, it provides temporary immobilization to prevent further injury and facilitate the healing process before more definitive interventions, such as surgery, are undertaken.

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