QLexNursing

🥤 A client with dysphagia after a stroke is at high risk for aspiration, especially with thin liquids such as clear juices, broth, and water.

🥤 A prescription for clear liquids suggests unrestricted thin fluids, which are typically contraindicated unless a swallowing evaluation confirms safety.

🥤 These clients often require thickened liquids and modified textures to prevent aspiration pneumonia and ensure adequate nutrition and hydration.

🥤 Because the ordered diet does not appear to match the client’s risk profile, the nurse must clarify this prescription with the provider before implementation.

🥤 Clarifying this order protects the client from potential airway compromise and aligns care with dysphagia safety guidelines.

Oral suction at the bedside

🥤 Having oral suction at the bedside for a client with dysphagia is a safety measure, not a concern, because it allows quick removal of excess secretions or aspirated material.

🥤 This intervention supports airway protection by enabling the nurse to assist the client if they cough, choke, or become unable to clear their own secretions.

🥤 It is a standard precaution for clients who are at risk for impaired swallowing or aspiration, especially after neurologic events like stroke.

🥤 There is nothing unsafe or inappropriate about this order in the context of dysphagia; in fact, it is supportive of the client’s condition.

🥤 Therefore, this prescription does not need clarification and should be implemented as ordered.🥤 Speech therapy referral

🥤 A speech-language pathologist is the specialist who evaluates swallowing function and helps determine safe diet textures and strategies for clients with dysphagia.

🥤 A referral to speech therapy is appropriate and essential in post-stroke care to assess risk of aspiration and plan rehabilitation.

🥤 This order directly addresses the client’s primary problem (difficulty swallowing) and supports tailored diet and swallowing precautions.

🥤 Clarifying or questioning this order would delay necessary assessment and intervention.

🥤 Therefore, the speech therapy referral is appropriate and should not be clarified, but rather carried out promptly.

Dietitian consult

🥤 A dietitian consult is beneficial for a client with dysphagia to help plan nutritionally adequate meals within the constraints of modified textures and consistencies.

🥤 The dietitian can collaborate with speech therapy to ensure the client receives sufficient calories, protein, and fluids in a safe form.

🥤 This order does not pose a safety risk; instead, it supports nutritional status in the setting of impaired swallowing.

🥤 There is no conflict between a dietitian consult and the client’s diagnosis or safety needs.

🥤 As a result, this order does not require clarification and should be implemented as part of comprehensive care.