If you are assessing a patient who reports that it is challenging to eat because she cannot pick up the fork or knife, you would consult the:

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Difficulty with fine motor skills required for picking up a utensil and bringing it to the mouth would fall under the scope of an occupational therapist's expertise. Speech-language pathologists focus more on communication and language skills, nurses on overall health and medication administration, and diet clerks on dietary planning and recommendations. The occupational therapist is the best choice for this scenario because they specialize in assessing and recommending interventions to improve a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living, which may include eating with utensils. The speech-language pathologist may be helpful if the patient is experiencing difficulties with chewing or swallowing, but this is not mentioned in the scenario. The nurse and diet clerk may be involved in the patient's care but would not be the most appropriate healthcare professional to consult for this specific issue.

If You Are Assessing a Patient Who Reports That It