A nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis. The client is having difficulty with self-feeding due to the pain and hand deformities. The nurse would anticipate a referral will be made to which member of the interprofessional team?

A) Speech Therapist: A speech therapist is the appropriate professional for assessing and managing dysphagia, especially in clients who have experienced a stroke. They specialize in evaluating swallowing function, determining the safest consistencies of food and liquids, and providing strategies or exercises to improve swallowing ability. They play a critical role in deciding the safest method of feeding, whether it involves modified diets or alternative feeding methods.

B) Respiratory Therapist: Respiratory therapists focus on assessing and managing respiratory conditions. While they may become involved if there are concerns about aspiration leading to respiratory complications, they do not directly manage dysphagia or feeding issues.

C) Physical Therapist: Physical therapists work primarily on improving gross motor skills, mobility, and physical function. They do not specialize in swallowing disorders or feeding methods, so they are not the primary professionals to consult for issues related to dysphagia.

D) Occupational Therapist: Occupational therapists can assist clients with fine motor skills and daily living activities, which may include feeding. However, they do not specialize in assessing or treating swallowing disorders. Their role would be more focused on helping clients with the practical aspects of self-feeding once safe swallowing methods are established by a speech therapist.

A) Chadwick's sign: Chadwick's sign is related to pregnancy and refers to the bluish discoloration of the cervix and vaginal walls due to increased blood flow. It is not associated with calcium levels or postoperative thyroidectomy.

B) Murphy's sign: Murphy's sign is used to diagnose gallbladder inflammation or cholecystitis. It involves palpation of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and is not related to calcium levels or thyroid surgery.

C) Babinski's sign: Babinski's sign is a neurological reflex test used to assess the presence of upper motor neuron lesions. It is not associated with calcium levels or postoperative thyroidectomy.

D) Chvostek's sign: Chvostek's sign is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia, where tapping on the facial nerve causes twitching of the facial muscles. With the client's calcium level of 3 mg/dL, which is significantly low, Chvostek's sign would likely be positive, indicating hypocalcemia.