Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 188 of 2368
During a meal, a client coughs and gags after swallowing. What should the nurse do first?
- Encourage the client to take larger sips of water to clear the throat
- Stop the meal and notify the provider of suspected swallowing difficulty
- Continue feeding at a slower pace and watch the client for more coughing
- Cut the food into smaller pieces and then continue feeding the client
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Correct answer: Stop the meal and notify the provider of suspected swallowing difficulty
Coughing or gagging are signs of difficulty swallowing, which can lead to aspiration. The meal is stopped and the provider is notified.
Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Nutrition: Implementing Interventions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026