Question

A nurse is caring for a patient who is at high risk for aspiration. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?

1) Give the patient thin liquids
2) Encourage the patient to lie down and rest after eating.
3) Allow 5-10 seconds for each bite or sip
4) Hover with the spoon so the patient stays focused

Answer 1

The correct nursing intervention is to allow 5-10 seconds for each bite or sip, which provides ample time for the patient to swallow properly and reduce the risk of aspiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who is at high risk for aspiration is to allow 5-10 seconds for each bite or sip. This method helps ensure that the patient can adequately control and swallow the food or liquid, reducing the risk of aspiration. In contrast, giving the patient thin liquids can increase the risk of aspiration, and encouraging the patient to lie down and rest after eating can do the same because it can cause reflux and increase the likelihood of aspiration. Hovering with the spoon does not directly address the mechanisms that prevent aspiration and is not an appropriate intervention in this context.