What is the best practice for feeding a resident who has mild dysphagia?

• A. Provide large bites, sit upright, and rush swallowing
• B. Do not adjust the posture or pace
• C. Sit the resident reclined and offer any food
• D. Provide small bites, sit upright, allow time to chew and swallow, and follow any diet recommendations prescribed

Answer: (D)

Managing feeding for someone with mild dysphagia focuses on safe swallowing through proper posture, controlled pacing, and adherence to diet advice. The best approach is to provide small bites, keep the resident sitting upright during and after meals, allow ample time to chew and swallow, and follow any diet recommendations prescribed by the care team. This combination helps protect the airway by reducing how much is in the mouth at once, giving the person time to coordinate breathing and swallowing, and using texture or consistency changes that aid safe swallowing. Large bites and rushing swallowing raise choking risk, not adjusting posture or pace undermines airway protection, and sitting reclined or offering any food increases the chance of aspiration.