Question

A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client that has dysphagia and is being discharged with prescription for a mechanical soft diet. Which of the following foods should the nurse include in the plan?

A.) Fresh peas
B.) White rice
C.) Orange slices
D.) Mashed potatoes

Answer 1

A patient with dysphagia who is prescribed a mechanical soft diet should include mashed potatoes in their meal plan due to their soft texture and ease of swallowing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject question pertains to the appropriate food selection for a patient with dysphagia who is prescribed a mechanical soft diet. Dysphagia is a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing, and a mechanical soft diet includes foods that require less chewing and are easier to swallow. Considering the options provided, the food that should be included in the teaching plan is D.) Mashed potatoes. These are suitable for a mechanical soft diet because they are soft, well-cooked, and pose a minimal risk of causing difficulty swallowing or choking. Fresh peas might be too difficult to swallow unless well-mashed or pureed. White rice could be included if cooked well and moistened, but it requires more chewing than mashed potatoes. Orange slices should not be included as they can be fibrous and challenging for individuals with dysphagia to swallow without modification.