Final answer:
The nurse should request a consultation to confirm dysphagia when an older adult client has a moist cough that worsens during and after meals, as it could be indicative of aspiration risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the symptom of a moist cough that increases in severity during and after meals in an older adult client, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take is b. Request a consultation to confirm dysphagia. Dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing, and can lead to aspiration of food or liquids into the lungs, which could manifest as a cough that worsens during and after eating. It is essential to rule out dysphagia as a cause of the cough because it requires specific management to prevent further complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Collecting a sputum specimen (a. Collect a sputum specimen immediately) may still be necessary for diagnostic purposes, but it should follow the consultation for dysphagia. Offering additional clear liquids (c. Offer the client additional clear liquids frequently) and encouraging deep breathing exercises (d. Encourage the client to do deep breathing exercises daily) are supportive measures but would not address the potential immediate risk of aspiration.
Based on the finding of an older adult client having a moist cough that increases in severity during and after meals, the nurse should consider the possibility of dysphagia. Dysphagia is a condition where there is difficulty swallowing, which can lead to aspiration of food or liquid into the lungs. To confirm dysphagia, the nurse should recommend a consultation with a healthcare provider who specializes in swallowing disorders.
the correct option is d. Encourage the client to do deep breathing exercises daily