How should the nurse position a client experiencing dysphagia while eating?

Positioning a client experiencing dysphagia correctly while eating is crucial to prevent choking and promote safe swallowing. Placing the client upright at a 90-degree angle is the most effective position for managing dysphagia. This position allows gravity to assist in moving food safely down the esophagus and minimizes the risk of aspiration into the trachea.

When a person with dysphagia is in an upright position, it enhances their ability to swallow, as it aligns the throat and esophagus optimally for this process. Additionally, being upright reduces the pressure on the diaphragm, which can ease the swallowing mechanism. This position also provides the best safety for the client, ensuring that if a swallowing difficulty arises, the risk of food entering the airways is minimized.

Other positions, such as lying flat or reclining, can hinder the swallowing process and increase the risk of aspiration, making them unsuitable for individuals with dysphagia. A 45-degree angle may provide moderate safety but does not offer the full benefits of a 90-degree angle, where the body is fully supported to swallow effectively.