A Spontaneously Breathing Patient Who Has a Cuffed Tracheostomy Tube

A spontaneously breathing patient who has a cuffed tracheostomy tube in place has new orders for speech therapy and a soft diet. To evaluate whether the patient can safely have the cuff deflated to promote speaking and make swallowing easier, the nurse deflates the cuff and then

A) assesses whether the patient is able to talk.
B) monitors for symptoms of respiratory distress.
C) asks the patient to swallow a small amount of clear liquid and auscultates the lungs for the presence of crackles.
D) has the patient drink a small amount of grape juice and observes for coughing and the presence of colored sputum.