Final answer:
To address swallowing difficulties after a cerebrovascular accident, a speech-language pathologist should be included in the next interdisciplinary team meeting because of their expertise in treating swallowing disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse is caring for a client who has had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly known as a stroke, and is experiencing difficulty swallowing. This condition is known as dysphagia and can be a common complication following a stroke. When assembling an interdisciplinary team to address this complication, the most appropriate health care professional to include would be a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists specialize in evaluating and treating individuals with speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders. Their expertise would be critical in assessing the client's swallowing functions and providing appropriate interventions to assist in their recovery.
During a neurological exam, health care professionals, including nurses and neurologists, evaluate the oral cavity and pharynx looking for signs of infection, and to test the function of cranial nerves associated with the oral cavity. These assessments can also indicate problems with motor control impacting the ability to swallow. The amazing adaptability of the nervous system means that, with therapies such as speech therapy, individuals recovering from a stroke can relearn functions or adapt to changes.
Therefore, to address the difficulty swallowing experienced by a client after a cerebrovascular accident, the presence and expertise of a speech-language pathologist would be essential during the next interdisciplinary team meeting.