Unit 4 Evaluation of Swallowing Disorders / Unit 5 Management Flashcards
Describe what Screening Procedures Provides and what it doesn’t:
Indirect evidence that the pt has a swallowing disorder, but does not provide info on the physiology of the disorder.
Once completed. clinician should indicate whether the pt is a normal swallower or whether the risk of dysphagia is high and further assessment is needed.
3 Things about Swallow Screenings
- Tend to ID signs and symptoms of dyspahgia (coughing, pneumonia Hx)
- Indicates whether the pt might need an in depth physiological assessment
- Quick, low cost, low risk (chart reviews or observation of pt eating)
Bedside or Clinical Evaluation
*Most frequent type of examination for swallowing
A. First step of Preparatory Exam
Obtain a doctor’s order before you begin
2nd Step of Preparatory Exam - Review Chart
In Chart look for 8 things:
- Hx of recurrent pneumonia
- Poor cognition / self awareness
- Reports of prior swallowing problems
- Respiratory status
- Tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation, etc.
- Current nutritional status and feeding method (allergies, diabetes?)
- General medical history – what brought pt to the hospital
* **Look at Dr’s and nurses notes for any information about swallowing
3rd step of Preparatory Exam - Discuss
Discuss the nature of the problem with the nursing staff.
4th step of Preparatory Exam
Observe the Patient’s 4 things:
- Alertness, ability to follow directions & answer questions
- Posture
* ***Neutral posture: upright, chin slightly tucked - Presence or absence of trach. tube and its status (cuffed, inflated, deflated, etc)
- Patient’s handling of secretions
5th Step: Interview the patient
- Start off by introducing yourself and ask how they are doing.
- Ask them if they notice any problem with their swallowing, if they have been coughing, have they been choking on their saliva, etc. – all of these can tell you a lot by their response.
- Check for their self-awareness of their problems through their conversation.
- Watch for: cognitive deficits, oral motor function, facial symmetry, memory abilities, etc.
B. Examine the Oral Cavity: 6 things
Oral Motor Exam “Plus”
- To see movement of tongue, jaw, lips and velum
- Keep you wording simple
- Get comfortable, maybe sit on the edge of the bed
- Make sure the pt is sitting up
- Look at strength, speed and accuracy of muscular movements of oral mechanism (open/close) ( range of motion)
- Look for abnormal oral reflexes, such as: bite reflex (clamping down), tongue thrust, gag reflex
* **Make sure to put railings back up
Steps of Oral Motor Exam
- Check jaw strength
- Check lip movements (strength, ROM & coordination)
- Check Tongue Movements
- Assess chewing using gauze
- Check velum - /a/, symmetry, velar elevation, arches come together laterally
/u/ velopharyngeal closure - Extrinsic Muscles of Larynx / Laryngeal Funciton
a. vocal quality (hoarse, gurgly)
b. saliva management?
c. see how well they can cough or clear throat
d. have them swallow & feel for laryngeal excursion
The Info collected during the oral exam should alert you to:
- Any facial paralysis
- Patient’s ability to maintain lip closure
- Limitations in tongue function that may affect ability to hold bolus or to propel food back
- Indicate area of oral cavity where food can be positioned for the best tongue control
- Help in selection of food consistencies you think the pt will be able to handle
Should trial swallows at bedside be attempted?
Consider risk/benefit ratio
a. NPO
b. barium swallow
Should trial swallows at bedside be attempted?
Negative Factors
- Pt is acutely ill
- Significant pulmonary complications
- Weak voluntary cough
- Over 80 years old
- Cannot follow simple directions
- Suspected pharyngeal swallow disorder
Should trial swallows at bedside be attempted?
Positive Factors
- Can follow directions
- Can cough on command
- Good pulmonary function
If a pt is already eating orally, observe a meal, noting:
- The pt’s reaction to food
- Oral movements and chewing (food manipulation)
- Any coughing or throat clearing or changes in breathing
- Changes in secretion levels
- Wet vocal quality
- Duration of meal, fatigue issues, total intake
- Coordination of breathing and swallowing
4 Levels of Bolus
- Thin liquid (water)
- Thick liquid (nectar)
- Puree - applesauce, pudding
- Chew - crackers, banana
Once you decide to do trial feeding / swallows:
- Decide on best posture for food presentation
2. Decide on best textures / foods to administer
4 Postures:
- Tilt head down then throw head back (dump & swallow)
- Tilt head down (chin tuck)
- Turn head toward the affected side.
- Tilting the head toward the strong side.
Postures:
1. Dump and Swallow
Tilt head down then throw head back
- **Only do in 1 scenerio:
1. Severe oral phase issue
2. Normal Pharyngeal Phase (for airway closure)
Postures:
2. Chin Tuck
Tilt head down
***Most common Helps with: 1. Premature entry - gravity 2. Poor airway closure 3. Increases tongue retraction
Postures:
3. Turn head towards affected side
- Turn toward weak side to pinch off food sending food to strong side
Postures:
4. Tilting head toward strong side
- Keeps bolus on strong side (gravity)
* Most extreme is patient on their side
Food Textures/Consitencies
On a continuum
Solids:
1. Regular, Normal Texture - no restrictions
2. Mechanical Soft- ground , but normal
3. Pureed- apple sauce, ***Start with first
Liquids:
1. Thickened - nectar, honey, extra thick
2. Naturally thick - nectars, milkshake, smoothie, Ensure
What is on Assessment Tray
- Puree
- Thin liquid
- Pack of “Thick-it” or thickened juice
- Mechanical soft - banana
* Possibly a regular - 1/4 size Lorna Doone cookie