Persistent coughing while drinking after a stroke suggests the need for speech therapy due to potential difficulties with swallowing and speaking, known as dysphagia and expressive aphasia, respectively.
The nurse should request a referral for speech therapy if the client exhibits persistent coughing while drinking. This symptom may indicate dysphagia, which is common after a cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke, and can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Dysphagia often involves difficulty with swallowing, but can also impair speech, a condition known as expressive aphasia. In contrast, unilateral facial drooping, abnormal responses for cranial nerves I and II, and inappropriate or exaggerated mood swings are not directly related to speech therapy. Rather, they could indicate more general neurological damage that may require different types of rehabilitation.
So, persistent coughing while drinking is a specific sign that requires the expertise of a speech therapist to help the client with potential swallowing and speaking difficulties post-stroke.