A patient has a decreased gag reflex, left-sided weakness, and drooling. Which action will the nurse take when feeding this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Have the patient flex the head slightly to a chin-down position to help prevent aspiration. If the patient has unilateral weakness, teach him or her and the caregiver to place food in the stronger side of the mouth. Provide a 30-minute rest period before eating and position the patient in an upright, seated position in a chair or raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees. Thin liquids such as water and fruit juice are difficult to control in the mouth and are more easily aspirated.

A Patient Has a Decreased Gag Reflex, Left-Sided Weakness, and Drooling