Final answer:
For a client at high risk for aspiration, the nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing. This method helps prevent material from entering the trachea during swallowing. Other options such as offering thin liquids, using a straw, or lying down after eating can increase the risk of aspiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a client who is at high risk for aspiration, it is crucial to choose the right nursing interventions to prevent complications. The question asks which of the following is an appropriate intervention in such cases. The correct answer is that the nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing. This technique helps to close off the trachea allows for a more direct path for the food or liquid into the esophagus, and reduces the risk of aspiration.
In contrast, giving thin liquids may actually increase the risk because they can easily enter the lungs if the client has difficulty swallowing safely. Using a straw can also be problematic, as it might deliver liquid too quickly and increase the likelihood of aspiration. Lastly, encouraging the client to lie down and rest after meals is inadvisable because gravity will not help keep the stomach contents from being aspirated into the lungs if regurgitation occurs.
In conclusion, the most appropriate nursing intervention is for the nurse to instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing to significantly reduce the risk of aspiration.