A nurse is teaching the partner of a client who had a stroke about dysphagia. Which of the following statements by the client’s partner should indicate to the nurse that the teaching was effective?

Choice A reason: A stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere can affect the cognitive and emotional functions of the brain, such as judgment, impulse control, and emotional regulation³. This can lead to risky or inappropriate behaviors, such as acting impulsively or disregarding social norms. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client for poor impulse control and provide appropriate interventions, such as education, cueing, feedback, and environmental modifications.
Choice B reason: A stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere can affect the visual functions of the brain, such as depth perception, spatial orientation, and visual recognition³. However, the deficits are usually in the left visual field, not the right, because the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and the environment. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client for deficits in the left visual field, not the right.
Choice C reason: A stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere can affect the abstract reasoning functions of the brain, such as understanding metaphors, humor, or sarcasm. However, the ability to discriminate words and letters is more related to the language functions of the brain, which are mainly controlled by the left cerebral hemisphere. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client for language deficits, such as aphasia or dysarthria, if the stroke involves the left cerebral hemisphere, not the right.
Choice D reason: A stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere can affect the motor functions of the brain, such as movement, coordination, and balance³. However, the motor retardation, which is a slowing down of physical and mental activity, is more related to the mood functions of the brain, which are mainly controlled by the frontal lobe of the brain. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client for motor retardation if the stroke involves the frontal lobe, not the right cerebral hemisphere.

Choice A reason: Positioning the head of the client’s bed in the flat position is not a good way to reduce the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. This position can increase the risk of aspiration of oral secretions or gastric contents into the lungs, which can cause infection. The nurse should elevate the head of the bed to 30 to 45 degrees to prevent aspiration and promote drainage of secretions.

Choice B reason: Brushing the client’s teeth with a suction toothbrush every 12 hr is an effective way to reduce the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. Oral hygiene can reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and prevent the formation of dental plaque, which can harbor pathogens that can cause pneumonia. The nurse should use a suction toothbrush to remove debris and secretions from the mouth and prevent them from entering the lungs.

Choice C reason: Providing humidity by maintaining moisture within the ventilator tubing is not a helpful way to reduce the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. Humidity can increase the growth of bacteria and fungi in the ventilator circuit, which can contaminate the air delivered to the lungs. The nurse should change the ventilator tubing and filters regularly and use sterile water to fill the humidifier.

Choice D reason: Turning the client every 4 hr is not a sufficient way to reduce the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. Turning can help prevent pressure ulcers and improve blood circulation, but it does not prevent the accumulation of secretions in the lungs, which can cause infection. The nurse should use chest physiotherapy, suctioning, and coughing techniques to mobilize and clear secretions from the airways.