urse Aide Practice Exam 2025 - Free Nurse Aide Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a resident frequently coughs while drinking, it indicates a potential difficulty with swallowing, which could lead to choking or aspiration if not addressed promptly. Stopping the feeding process and notifying a nurse is essential because this action ensures that a trained professional can assess the situation accurately. The nurse may evaluate the resident's swallowing ability and determine the most appropriate interventions to ensure their safety while eating or drinking.

Monitoring the resident while continuing to feed them does not prioritize their safety when there is a clear sign of distress. Offering smaller sips can be beneficial in other contexts, but it does not address the underlying concern of frequent coughing, which demands a more cautious approach. Changing the resident's position may help in some cases but should be done under the guidance of nursing staff, especially when a swallowing issue is suspected.

Overall, prioritizing the resident's safety and seeking further evaluation from a nurse is a critical step in managing potential swallowing difficulties.