Question

For a patient with communication and swallowing disorders secondary to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a speech-language pathologist will most appropriately

A. serve only as a consultant to others who are directly involved in the patient's care
B. provide treatment on a monthly basis
C. provide treatment only as prescribed by the patient's physician
D. provide treatment in consultation with the patient's primary-care physician or medical team

Answer 1

A speech-language pathologist should provide treatment to an AIDS patient with swallowing and communication disorders in close consultation with the patient's primary-care physician or medical team, due to the complexity of the patient's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a patient with communication and swallowing disorders secondary to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a speech-language pathologist (SLP) would most appropriately provide treatment in consultation with the patient's primary-care physician or medical team. As AIDS can severely damage the immune system and lead to various opportunistic infections such as pneumocystis pneumonia and esophageal candidiasis, which might affect swallowing, the role of the SLP is crucial in managing these symptoms. Furthermore, the SLP can help with the associated communication disorders, ensuring the treatment plan is consistent with the patient's overall medical management. It's important to recognize that each patient’s needs are unique, and the SLP's involvement should be directly relevant to the individual aspects of the patient's condition, requiring close coordination with healthcare providers.