Colorado CNA Practice Exam 2025 – The All-In-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The nursing assistant should place food on the unaffected side of the mouth for a resident who has had a stroke. This is because individuals who have had a stroke may have difficulty swallowing and may also have paralysis or weakness on one side of their body. Placing the food on the unaffected side allows for easier chewing and swallowing and reduces the risk of choking. Placing the food on the affected side may also cause the resident to aspirate, or inhale food or liquid into their lungs, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. Similarly, placing the food on the tongue may also increase the risk of choking as the resident may not be able to control the movement of their tongue. Placing food in the center of the mouth may also increase the likelihood of choking as the resident may have difficulty manipulating food with both sides of their mouth. Therefore, placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth is the safest and most appropriate option for a resident who has had a stroke.