A nurse in a long-term care facility is managing the care of an older adult client who has difficulty swallowing and occasional choking during meals. The nurse should initiate a referral to which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?

Choice A reason: Alone time for reflection may increase rumination in alcohol use disorder, not fostering self-control; positive feedback reinforces coping. Assuming alone time helps risks isolation, potentially worsening stress, critical to avoid in supporting adaptive behaviors and recovery in clients with alcohol use disorders.

Choice B reason: Gradual alcohol reduction is not ideal for alcohol use disorder, where abstinence is often recommended; positive feedback supports coping. Assuming reduction is effective risks enabling continued use, delaying recovery, critical to prevent in fostering self-control and sobriety in clients with alcohol dependence.

Choice C reason: Having the partner monitor alcohol intake undermines client autonomy, not promoting self-control; positive feedback reinforces independence. Assuming partner responsibility risks dependency, potentially hindering personal accountability, critical to avoid in supporting self-managed recovery in clients with alcohol use disorder.

Choice D reason: Giving positive feedback for adaptive coping strategies reinforces healthy stress management, promoting self-control in alcohol use disorder. This builds confidence, critical for sustained sobriety, encouraging alternative coping mechanisms, and supporting long-term recovery, essential for effective behavioral change in clients managing stress without alcohol.

Choice A reason: A speech-language pathologist assesses swallowing difficulties, recommending safe feeding techniques for dysphagia, critical for preventing choking and aspiration in older adults. This referral ensures tailored interventions, essential for nutritional safety, reducing pneumonia risk, and supporting quality of life in long-term care settings.

Choice B reason: Occupational therapists address functional skills, not primarily swallowing, which is managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks delayed swallowing assessment, potentially increasing choking risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe eating for older adults in long-term care facilities.

Choice C reason: Respiratory therapists manage breathing issues, not swallowing difficulties, which require a speech-language pathologist for dysphagia. Assuming their involvement risks missing specialized swallowing care, potentially leading to aspiration, critical to prevent in ensuring safe nutrition for older adults with choking risks.

Choice D reason: Social workers address psychosocial needs, not swallowing issues, managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks neglecting physical swallowing assessment, increasing choking or aspiration risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe meal management for older adults in long-term care.