A nurse needs to refer a client for speech therapy. Which client would be most appropriate for this referral?

Referring a client for speech therapy is particularly appropriate in situations where communication or swallowing abilities are compromised. In this scenario, the client experiencing dysphagia following a stroke is most suitable for a speech therapy referral.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common consequence of strokes due to the neurological impact on motor control and the coordination of swallowing. Speech therapists are skilled in evaluating and treating swallowing disorders, which is crucial for ensuring the client’s safety while eating and preventing aspiration pneumonia, among other complications.

While other clients presented may require additional forms of therapy, they do not specifically relate to the core competencies of speech therapy. For example, a client with a broken jaw might need a different focus on healing and oral rehabilitation, but not necessarily speech therapy. A hearing-impaired client usually benefits from audiological support rather than speech therapy. Similarly, while a client with aphasia related to a traumatic brain injury could benefit from speech therapy, the immediate need for addressing dysphagia with strong implications for safety takes precedence in this case.

Thus, the client with dysphagia following a stroke most directly represents a scenario where speech therapy is essential for improving quality of life and safety.