A patient who had a cerebrovascular accident continues to have dysphagia. To which interprofessional team member should the nurse refer for evaluation and therapy?

A patient who had a cerebrovascular accident continues to have dysphagia. To which interprofessional team member should the nurse refer for evaluation and therapy?

• A. Social worker
• B. Certified nursing assistant
• C. Occupational therapist
• D. Speech-language pathologist

Answer: (D)

Swallowing difficulty after a stroke is managed most effectively by a professional trained in swallowing disorders. A speech-language pathologist specializes in assessing and treating dysphagia, performing bedside swallow evaluations, arranging instrumental studies when needed (such as videofluoroscopic swallow studies or FEES), and designing therapy and diet plans to keep swallowing safe. They guide compensatory strategies, swallowing exercises, and texture modifications to reduce aspiration risk and improve intake. Other team members have important roles—social workers handle resources and discharge planning, CNAs provide routine care, and occupational therapists focus on daily activities and safe feeding but do not lead swallow evaluations and therapy. Therefore, the best choice for evaluation and therapy of dysphagia is the speech-language pathologist.

Swallowing difficulty after a stroke is managed most effectively by a professional trained in swallowing disorders. A speech-language pathologist specializes in assessing and treating dysphagia, performing bedside swallow evaluations, arranging instrumental studies when needed (such as videofluoroscopic swallow studies or FEES), and designing therapy and diet plans to keep swallowing safe. They guide compensatory strategies, swallowing exercises, and texture modifications to reduce aspiration risk and improve intake.

Other team members have important roles—social workers handle resources and discharge planning, CNAs provide routine care, and occupational therapists focus on daily activities and safe feeding but do not lead swallow evaluations and therapy. Therefore, the best choice for evaluation and therapy of dysphagia is the speech-language pathologist.