Swallowing Assessment and Treatment

Question 1

Swallowing Assessment

Answer 1

•1st Step: Bedside Eval (Observation) Screening
◦Recurrent pneumonia - likely aspiration
◦Gurgling/bubbly voice
◦Coughing during eating, after swallow
◦Larynx not going up
◦Exhausted after eating
•Physiologic Evaluation
◦FEES: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow: “not the best” but can identify residue/penetration
◦Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBS) preferred method
◾Barium Swallow: Esophagus to Stomach
◾Modified Barium Swallow: examines the 3 phases of swallowing
•Anterior or Lateral (Lateral is the most common)
•Radiograph: moving x-ray

Question 2

2 purposes of a swallow study

Answer 2

◦Determine if there are abnormalities (anatomy/physiology)

◦Determine effective treatment strategies

Question 3

Safe swallowing strategies

Answer 3

◦Head turn
◦Chin Tuck: closing the larynx mechanically, opening up the esophagus
◦Digital manipulation
◦Coughing with every swallow
◦Multiple swallows - will not help with aspiration, but will help with residue