A nurse is triaging a client following a community disaster.

 

Exhibits

 

The nurse should identify the client with a Select... –and Select...

A. Speech-language pathologist: A speech-language pathologist specializes in assessing and treating swallowing disorders (dysphagia). They conduct swallowing evaluations and recommend appropriate strategies, exercises, and diet modifications to ensure safe swallowing and reduce the risk of aspiration.

B. Occupational therapist: An occupational therapist helps clients regain the ability to perform daily activities, including self-feeding. They provide adaptive strategies, recommend assistive devices, and work on improving fine motor skills to enhance independence during meals.

C. Dietitian: A dietitian assesses the client’s nutritional needs and recommends appropriate diet modifications, such as texture-altered foods or thickened liquids, to ensure adequate nutrition while reducing the risk of choking or aspiration. They collaborate with other team members to create a safe and balanced meal plan.

D. Psychologist: While a psychologist can help address emotional and psychological challenges following a stroke, they are not directly involved in managing swallowing difficulties. Their role focuses more on mental health, coping strategies, and emotional adjustment rather than dysphagia management.

E. Pharmacy technician: A pharmacy technician primarily assists with medication dispensing and does not have a role in evaluating or managing swallowing difficulties. Medication concerns related to swallowing would be addressed by a pharmacist rather than a pharmacy technician.

A. The advice of an expert nephrology nurse. While experienced nurses provide valuable clinical insights, their knowledge may be based on personal experience rather than the latest evidence-based research. Best practices should be supported by scientific studies rather than anecdotal expertise.

B. Retrospective chart reviews. Chart reviews can offer useful data on past interventions and outcomes, but they do not always reflect the most current evidence-based practices. Additionally, they may contain inconsistencies or lack standardized guidelines necessary for broad application.

C. Facility critical pathway. Critical pathways are developed based on evidence-based guidelines, but they may not always reflect the most up-to-date research. These protocols are useful for standardizing care within a specific institution but should be supplemented with current peer-reviewed research to ensure best practices.

D. A recent peer-reviewed nursing research article. Peer-reviewed nursing research articles provide the most current and scientifically validated evidence. These sources undergo rigorous evaluation before publication, ensuring that recommendations are based on high-quality research rather than opinion or outdated protocols.