Final answer:
A measurable patient-centered goal for a patient with a risk for aspiration due to difficulty swallowing and facial paralysis is to decrease the frequency of coughing or choking during meals over four weeks of treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Creating a Measurable Patient-Centered Goal
The patient presents with a risk for aspiration due to difficulty swallowing, which is secondary to facial paralysis. Observation of symptoms such as muscle weakness and paralysis, particularly those starting in the head and moving downwards, is consistent with a progressive neurological condition. For such a patient, a measurable goal could be: By the end of four weeks of treatment and swallowing therapy, the patient will demonstrate an improved ability to swallow, evidenced by a decreased frequency of coughing or choking incidents during meals from three times daily to not more than once weekly.
To achieve this goal, interventions might include swallow maneuvers, modifications to the texture of food, and supervised feeding times by healthcare professionals. It is crucial to monitor for signs of aspiration, such as wheezes, stridor, and hoarseness, along with any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and pain with swallowing.