Final answer:
The nurse should prioritize addressing the risk of aspiration and anorexia when teaching dietary practices related to Parkinson's disease due to the difficulty in swallowing and reduced appetite associated with the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the nurse is teaching a patient and his family about dietary practices related to Parkinson's disease, a priority for the nurse to address is the risk of aspiration and anorexia. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, which affects movement control. As the disease progresses, patients may experience difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) which can lead to aspiration, and reduced appetite or anorexia due to challenges in eating and the potential for complications from the disease itself. To manage these risks, it is essential to have appropriate dietary practices that may include softer foods and thickened liquids, monitoring for signs of swallowing difficulties, and ensuring adequate nutritional intake despite reduced appetite.