RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 858 of 2368

While assisting a client with a meal, the nurse sees the client coughing and gagging after swallowing. Which action is best?

  1. Encourage the client to eat more slowly and continue the meal
  2. Offer sips of water to clear the throat
  3. Stop the meal and notify the provider of suspected swallowing difficulty
  4. Place the client flat in bed and wait five minutes
Show answer

Correct answer: Stop the meal and notify the provider of suspected swallowing difficulty

Coughing or gagging are signs of difficulty swallowing. The nurse stops the meal and notifies the provider.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Healthy Diets: Implementation (Take Action). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026