A nurse is teaching a parent about appropriate snack choices for her 9-month-old infant. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?

Choice A reason: Tilt your head forward while you eat is a correct instruction for dysphagia. This position can help prevent choking by closing the airway and directing food and fluids to the back of the mouth and throat.

Choice B reason: Obtain your vitamins in liquid form is not a correct instruction for dysphagia. Liquid vitamins can be too thin and watery for people with dysphagia, as they can easily enter the airway and cause aspiration. Vitamins should be taken in pill or chewable form, or crushed and mixed with thickened liquids or pureed foods.

Choice C reason: Cool foods down to room temperature before consuming is not a correct instruction for dysphagia. Food temperature does not affect the risk of choking for people with dysphagia, as long as the food is not too hot or too cold. Food texture and consistency are more important factors for safe swallowing.

Choice D reason: Drink water with each bite of food is not a correct instruction for dysphagia. Water can also be too thin and watery for people with dysphagia, as it can also enter the airway and cause aspiration. Water should be thickened to a nectar-like, honey-like, or pudding-like consistency, depending on the individual's needs and preferences.

Choice A reason: Recommending a total fat intake of 12 g each day is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it is too low for most adults. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA. for fat is 20 to 35% of total calories per day, which translates to about 44 to 78 g of fat per day for an average adult who consumes 2,000 calories per day.

Choice B reason: Referring the client to a weight-loss support group is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because the client does not need to lose weight. A body mass index (BMI) of 22 is within the normal range, which is 18.5 to 24.9. A weight-loss support group is more suitable for clients who have a BMI of 25 or higher, which indicates overweight or obesity.

Choice C reason: Advising the client to add 500 calories per day to the diet is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it may lead to weight gain. A client who has a BMI of 22 does not need to increase their caloric intake unless they have other medical conditions or nutritional needs that require more calories. Adding 500 calories per day to the diet can result in gaining about one pound per week, which can increase the risk of obesity and its complications.

Choice D reason: Encouraging the client to continue current daily caloric intake is an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it can help maintain a healthy weight. A client who has a BMI of 22 has a balanced energy intake and expenditure, which means that they consume enough calories to meet their metabolic needs and physical activity level. Continuing current daily caloric intake can prevent weight loss or gain and promote health and wellness.