A nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to taper the client from the TPN?

A. Encourage the client to take sips of diluted fruit juice: Offering small amounts of juice may help introduce oral intake gradually, but it is not the first step. Ensuring the client can safely swallow is essential before providing any oral fluids to prevent aspiration and other complications. B. Give the client a pureed diet: Transitioning to a pureed diet is part of advancing nutrition after confirming that the client can swallow safely. Starting this too early without assessing swallowing ability can increase the risk of choking or aspiration. C. Check the client's swallowing reflex: Assessing the swallowing reflex is the priority when tapering a client from TPN. Safe oral intake depends on intact swallowing function, and identifying any deficits early prevents aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, or other serious complications during the transition to oral nutrition. D. Provide the client with a full liquid diet: A full liquid diet is a step in progressing from TPN to oral intake, but it should only be introduced after confirming the client can swallow safely. Skipping the assessment of the swallowing reflex could place the client at risk for airway compromise.