The nurse instructs the health care aide to feed an older person.If the nurse is unable to observe feeding directly, which action should the nurse use to assess the older person's risk for aspiration immediately following feeding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Inspecting for pocketing (holding food in the mouth) is the best choice to assess the older person's risk for aspiration immediately following feeding. This is because pocketing increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which is a serious complication that can occur when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs. Monitoring bradypnea (slow breathing rate) may be an indication of aspiration, but it is not an immediate assessment and may not be detectable until later. Noting the food volume eaten and observing skin colour may be important for overall assessment but do not provide immediate information on the risk of aspiration.

The Nurse Instructs the Health Care Aide to Feed an Older