Tennessee CNA Skills Practice Test

Monitoring for coughing or gagging during meals is essential because coughing is the body's natural reflex to clear the airway when something may be blocking it. If coughing or gagging occurs, it can signal a choking risk or trouble swallowing, so you pause feeding, ensure the resident is upright, and assess whether the swallow cleared properly. Other behaviors listed would actually raise choking risk rather than indicate it—talking during feeding can distract and mask problems, offering large bites increases the chance of obstruction, and rushing through a meal reduces the time the resident has to chew and swallow safely. Focus on watching for signs like coughing or gagging, and respond by pausing, checking safety, and proceeding only with a safe, slow eating pace.