A nurse in a long-term care facility is managing the care of an older adult client who has difficulty swallowing and occasional choking during meals. The nurse should initiate a referral to which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?

Choice A reason: A speech-language pathologist assesses swallowing difficulties, recommending safe feeding techniques for dysphagia, critical for preventing choking and aspiration in older adults. This referral ensures tailored interventions, essential for nutritional safety, reducing pneumonia risk, and supporting quality of life in long-term care settings. Choice B reason: Occupational therapists address functional skills, not primarily swallowing, which is managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks delayed swallowing assessment, potentially increasing choking risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe eating for older adults in long-term care facilities. Choice C reason: Respiratory therapists manage breathing issues, not swallowing difficulties, which require a speech-language pathologist for dysphagia. Assuming their involvement risks missing specialized swallowing care, potentially leading to aspiration, critical to prevent in ensuring safe nutrition for older adults with choking risks. Choice D reason: Social workers address psychosocial needs, not swallowing issues, managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks neglecting physical swallowing assessment, increasing choking or aspiration risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe meal management for older adults in long-term care.