The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. The nurse understands that the best way to ensure adequate nutrition for the patient may be _____.

Question

The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. The nurse understands that the best way to ensure adequate nutrition for the patient may be _____.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Providing tube feedings for the patient is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition while also avoiding the risk of choking and coughing during meals. This will also give time for the patient's swallowing abilities to improve and eventually return to normal. It is important for the healthcare team to monitor the patient closely and adjust feeding methods as needed. The other options, such as having an aide feed the patient or asking a family member to be present at each meal, may not address the underlying issue of difficulty swallowing and could potentially lead to further complications. TPN is typically reserved for patients who are unable to tolerate enteral feedings, and changing the patient's status to NPO would not provide adequate nutrition.

The Nurse Is Working with a Patient Who Recently Had