A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who speaks a different language than the nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice Reason:
Occupational Therapist is incorrect. Occupational therapists focus on helping individuals regain or enhance their ability to perform daily activities and tasks. While they might not directly address dysphagia or swallowing concerns, they could assist in modifying the environment or providing adaptive equipment to facilitate eating, such as recommending specialized utensils or adapting seating positions to support safe eating practices.

Choice B Reason:
Physical Therapist is incorrect. Physical therapists primarily concentrate on restoring mobility, strength, and function in individuals who have experienced injuries or illnesses affecting movement. While they might not directly address dysphagia, they could be involved in helping patients with postural adjustments or exercises that indirectly support safe eating and swallowing.

Choice C Reason:
Respiratory Therapist is incorrect. Respiratory therapists specialize in assessing and treating breathing problems and disorders related to the lungs and respiratory system. While they may not focus directly on dysphagia, they can be involved in managing respiratory complications that can arise from aspiration, such as pneumonia. They might assist in suctioning, breathing exercises, or respiratory treatments in cases where aspiration has led to lung issues.

Choice D Reason:
Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, is correct because it specializes in evaluating and treating communication and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals who have experienced strokes or other conditions affecting swallowing abilities to improve their swallowing function and reduce the risk of aspiration (when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the digestive tract).

Choice A Reason:

Discarding the vial with the remaining medication in the sharp container is inappropriate. This would result in unnecessary waste of the medication and could lead to increased healthcare costs.

Choice B Reason:

Having another nurse witness the disposal of the remaining medication is inappropriate. Witnessing the disposal is typically required for controlled substances, but in this situation, it's more appropriate to use the remaining medication with appropriate documentation.

Choice C Reason:

Drawing up the remaining 1 mg in a syringe and label it with the contents, date, and time is appropriate. This approach minimizes medication wastage and allows for appropriate documentation of the extra dose drawn up. However, it is crucial to label the syringe clearly with the contents, date, and time to avoid any potential errors or confusion. This labeled syringe can then be used for subsequent doses, as long as it remains within the medication's expiration period and adheres to institutional policies.

Choice D Reason:

Storing the vial in the client's medication drawer for future use is inappropriate. Keeping the vial for future use without appropriate documentation is not recommended, as it may lead to medication errors or confusion.