The nurse observes that a client has difficulty chewing and swallowing her food.

The nurse observes that a client has difficulty chewing and swallowing her food.

A nursing response designed to reduce this problem would include:
A . Ordering a full liquid diet for her
B . Ordering five small meals for her
C . Ordering a mechanical soft diet for her
D . Ordering a puréed diet for her

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

(A) Full liquids would be difficult to swallow if the muscle control of the swallowing act is affected; this is a probable reason for her difficulties, given her medical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

(B) Five small meals would do little if anything to decrease her swallowing difficulties, other than assure that she tires less easily.

(C) A mechanical soft diet should be easier to chew and swallow, because foods would be more evenly consistent.

(D) A pureed diet would cause her to regress more than might be needed; the mechanical soft diet should be tried first.