How can a CNA prevent choking in residents?

Ensuring residents are sitting upright during meals is crucial for preventing choking. An upright position helps facilitate the safe swallowing of food by allowing gravity to assist in moving food through the esophagus and preventing it from entering the airway. When residents are in a proper sitting posture, it reduces the risk of aspiration and enhances their ability to swallow effectively. This position also helps residents to breathe properly while eating, reducing the likelihood of food obstruction and choking incidents.

In contrast, encouraging residents to talk while eating can divert their attention from the act of swallowing, increasing the risk of choking. Providing hard foods to stimulate chewing could pose a choking hazard, especially for individuals with dental issues or those requiring modified diets. Allowing residents to eat without assistance can also be dangerous, especially for those who may need help with eating safely or who require supervision to prevent choking. Thus, ensuring residents remain upright is the most effective strategy for preventing choking.