Final answer:
For a patient at high risk for aspiration, nurses should allow 5-10 seconds per bite or sip to prevent choking. Thin liquids and lying down right after eating are risky, while calm and supportive assistance during meals is important. Knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver is also crucial for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who is at high risk for aspiration is C. Allow 5-10 seconds for each bite or sip. This strategy helps the patient to adequately control and swallow food or liquid, thus reducing the risk of aspiration. In contrast, thin liquids (A) can increase the risk of aspiration, encouraging the patient to lie down after eating (B) can also lead to a higher risk of aspiration, and hovering with the spoon (D) is not a recommended practice as it may rush the patient or make them uncomfortable. Instead, nursing personnel should provide a calm and supportive environment to facilitate safe swallowing practices.
Patients recovering from conditions that impair their ability to swallow, like those who have relearned to eat after being on a feeding tube, understand the importance of taking their time with food and preventing choking. Ensuring that the patient has adequate muscle strength and coordination to eat safely is also important. If an aspiration event does occur, knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver can be a life-saving intervention.