How should a nurse position food for a client with dysphagia after a stroke?

For a client with dysphagia following a stroke, proper positioning of food is essential to facilitate safe swallowing and to prevent aspiration. Positioning food on the left side of the client's mouth is recommended if the client has right-side weakness or paralysis, which is common after a stroke. This positioning allows the client to use their stronger side (in this case, the left side) to chew and manipulate the food more effectively.

Placing food in the center of the mouth may not take into consideration the client’s weaknesses and can lead to difficulties in managing the food, increasing the risk of choking or aspiration. Similarly, positioning food on the right side can be inappropriate for clients with right-side deficits, as they may be unable to swallow effectively on that side. Positioning food above the client's tongue is not practical and does not assist with the swallowing mechanism. Therefore, placing the food on the left side provides a strategy that enhances the client's ability to eat safely and effectively.