When caring for clients with traumatic brain injuries, which client requires immediate referral?

The client who consistently coughs after drinking liquids requires immediate referral because this symptom indicates a potential swallowing dysfunction, known as dysphagia. In clients with traumatic brain injuries, dysphagia can significantly increase the risk of aspiration, where food or liquids enter the airway instead of the esophagus, leading to aspiration pneumonia and other serious complications.

Timely intervention is critical; thus, a referral to a speech-language pathologist or a nurse specialized in swallowing assessment is necessary to evaluate and manage this issue. Ensuring that the client can safely swallow fluids is essential to their overall care and recovery.

While confusion and disorientation, fatigue, and mild headaches are concerning symptoms in the context of a traumatic brain injury, they do not represent an immediate life-threatening risk like dysphagia does. Addressing swallowing issues promptly is crucial for maintaining respiratory health and preventing complications.