Which instruction should a nurse include when teaching a client with dysphagia who is recovering from a stroke?

When instructing a client with dysphagia who is recovering from a stroke, it is essential to promote safety and efficiency during the eating process. Placing food on the stronger side of the mouth is a beneficial strategy. This approach supports better control of the food during chewing and swallowing, as the stronger side is generally more adept at performing these tasks. It can also help minimize the risk of aspiration, which is a serious complication that can arise from swallowing difficulties.

By directing food towards the stronger side, the nurse encourages the client to utilize their functional capabilities effectively. While recovery and compensation strategies are pivotal in therapy for dysphagia, emphasizing the importance of utilizing the side that functions better is crucial for recovery and safety.

Other approaches, such as chewing food quickly, could increase the risk of choking, while drinking fluids before solids may not be advisable, as it can lead to aspiration or interfere with swallowing mechanics for someone with dysphagia. Positioning food on the weaker side could further complicate swallowing and increase the risk of aspiration, emphasizing why focusing on the stronger side is the recommended practice in this scenario.