A client is often late to physical therapy because they eat slowly. What is the best action for the nursing assistant to take?

Bringing the tray earlier is the best action for the nursing assistant to take in this scenario. By providing the meal with sufficient time before the therapy session, it allows the client to eat at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed, which can reduce stress and ensure they receive adequate nutrition. This proactive approach helps align the client's eating habits with their therapy schedule without forcing them to change their eating speed or altering the therapy time itself, both of which could cause unnecessary distress or resistance.

Encouraging faster eating could lead to discomfort or digestive issues for the client and may not be a realistic or healthy expectation. Changing the therapy schedule could disrupt the routine established for other clients and may not always be feasible, especially in a group therapy setting. Providing smaller portions may not address the underlying issue of timing and could leave the client feeling unsatisfied or still needing to eat when they should be attending therapy. Therefore, bringing the tray earlier effectively supports the client's needs while ensuring they can participate in their therapy on time.