A 39-year-old female patient with multiple sclerosis is admitted to the hospital due to a relapse. She has never had symptoms of dysphagia; however, per hospital protocol, the nurse administers an initial bedside screening for dysphagia. The patient is able to sit upright in a chair, she is alert and oriented, she is able to manage her secretions without difficulty, and she drinks a 6 oz cup of water (per the hospital's protocol) without any overt signs of aspiration. Which of the following statements regarding the next step in the screening is accurate?
a.) The nurse should terminate the examination and refer to the SLP for full a swallowing evaluation
b.) The nurse should provide the patient with a full meal; if the patient coughs, the nurse should terminate the examination and refer the patient to the SLP for a full swallowing evaluation
c.) The nurse should place the patient on an oral diet according to the physician's order
d.) The nurse should place the patient on hold for oral nutrition and repeat the bedside screening for dysphagia in 8 hours