A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

Rationale

A. Speech therapy referral: Referral to speech therapy is appropriate for a client with dysphagia, as a speech-language pathologist can assess swallowing ability and provide strategies to reduce aspiration risk. This supports safe oral intake and rehabilitation.

B. Clear liquids: Prescribing a clear liquid diet may be unsafe for a client with dysphagia, particularly if the client has difficulty swallowing thin liquids, which can increase the risk of aspiration. The nurse should clarify this prescription and consider thickened liquids or alternative feeding methods based on the speech therapist’s assessment.

C. Oral suction at the bedside: Having oral suction available is appropriate for a client with dysphagia to quickly manage secretions or prevent choking and aspiration during oral intake. This intervention promotes safety.

D. Dietitian consult: Consulting a dietitian is appropriate to ensure the client receives adequate nutrition and a safe texture-modified diet. The dietitian can recommend consistency adjustments and nutrient-dense options tailored to the client’s swallowing abilities.

Rationale

A. A client who has respiratory syncytial virus: RSV is spread through droplet and direct contact, not airborne transmission. Standard precautions with droplet precautions are sufficient, so an airborne isolation room is not required.

B. A client who has varicella: Varicella (chickenpox) is transmitted via airborne particles. Placing the client in an airborne isolation room with negative pressure prevents the spread of infectious aerosols to other clients and staff, making this the appropriate intervention.

C. A client who is undergoing a bone marrow transplant: While these clients are immunocompromised and may require protective isolation, the need is for neutropenic precautions, not airborne isolation, unless they are exposed to a specific airborne infection.

D. A client who has Clostridioides difficile: C. difficile is transmitted via contact with spores, not airborne routes. Contact precautions and proper hand hygiene with soap and water are required, but an airborne isolation room is unnecessary.