A nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a client who is experiencing dysphagia following a stroke. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse clarify?

A client with dysphagia following a stroke is at high risk for aspiration. Clear liquids are thin in consistency and are actually the most difficult and dangerous consistency for a dysphagic client to manage safely because they flow quickly and unpredictably, giving the compromised swallowing mechanism insufficient time to protect the airway. Thin liquids are a leading cause of aspiration in stroke patients. Therefore, a prescription for clear liquids in a post-stroke dysphagic client is unsafe and should be clarified with the provider before implementation. A dietitian consult is appropriate because the dietitian can recommend texture-modified foods and thickened liquids tailored to the client's swallowing capacity. A speech therapy referral is the standard of care for evaluating and treating dysphagia; speech-language pathologists perform swallowing assessments and recommend safe diet textures. Oral suction at the bedside is a safety measure that allows prompt clearance of secretions or food if the client begins to aspirate or pool secretions, making it appropriate and expected. Only the clear liquids prescription represents a potential harm requiring clarification, because it introduces the aspiration risk that all the other interventions are designed to prevent.