A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a cerebrovascular accident with resulting dysphagia.
Which of the following therapists assists clients to learn to eat with less risk of aspiration?

The correct answer is choice D. The nurse should respect the client’s autonomy and offer assistance if needed.

The nurse should also assess the client’s pain level and provide adequate pain relief before helping the client get out of bed.

Choice A is wrong because it implies that the client is in pain and needs medication, which may not be true.

The nurse should ask the client about their pain level and offer medication if appropriate.

Choice B is wrong because it dismisses the client’s feelings and does not address the underlying issue of why the client does not want to be touched.

Choice C is wrong because it may make the client feel defensive or interrogated.

The nurse should use open-ended questions and active listening to explore the client’s concerns and fears.

According to web sources, postoperative care involves monitoring and managing the client’s vital signs, pain, wound healing, fluid and electrolyte balance, bowel and bladder function, mobility, and psychological status.

The nurse should also educate the client about self-care, wound care, activity restrictions, medication use, signs of complications, and follow-up appointments.

The nurse should also provide emotional support and reassurance to the client and their family.

The correct answer is choice A: "I will speak with your provider on your behalf."

Choice A rationale: The principle of advocacy in nursing involves supporting and speaking up for clients to ensure their rights, needs, and preferences are respected. By offering to speak with the provider on the client's behalf, the nurse demonstrates advocacy by actively working to represent the client's interests and facilitate communication between the client and the health care team.

Choice B rationale: While promising to fulfill commitments is an aspect of maintaining professional integrity, it does not directly demonstrate advocacy. Advocacy is more about actively supporting the client's rights and needs rather than personal dedication to fulfilling promises.

Choice C rationale: Maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of client information is essential in nursing practice, but it is not specifically related to advocacy. Privacy is a separate ethical principle that focuses on protecting the client's personal information and upholding their right to privacy.

Choice D rationale: Encouraging clients to make decisions about their health care is important for promoting autonomy. However, advocacy involves actively supporting the client's decisions and ensuring their rights are respected, rather than simply allowing them to make decisions.