Swallowing and Feeding Disorders Flashcards

Which compensatory technique involves the patient holding their breath before and during the swallow to protect the airway?

Answer: Supraglottic swallow

The supraglottic swallow involves volitional breath hold before swallowing to close the airway, followed by a cough after the swallow.

The Shaker exercise (head-lifting exercise) targets strengthening of which muscle group to improve swallowing?

Answer: Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles to improve laryngeal elevation and UES opening

The Shaker exercise strengthens suprahyoid muscles to improve hyolaryngeal excursion, which aids upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening.

Which population is at highest risk for aspiration pneumonia secondary to dysphagia?

Answer: Elderly patients with neurological conditions in care facilities

Elderly individuals with neurological conditions (stroke, dementia, Parkinson's) in institutional settings have the highest aspiration pneumonia risk.

The IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework provides standardized terminology for:

Answer: Texture-modified food and thickened liquid levels

IDDSI defines eight standardized levels (0–7) of texture-modified foods and thickened liquids to improve communication and safety in dysphagia management.

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CP dysfunction) refers to impairment of which structure's ability to open during swallowing?

Answer: Upper esophageal sphincter

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction involves failure of the cricopharyngeus muscle (main component of the UES) to relax and open during swallowing, causing bolus retention in the pharynx.

Which ethical principle guides the SLP to respect a patient's right to refuse texture-modified diets or thickened liquids despite aspiration risk?

Answer: Autonomy

Autonomy respects the patient's right to make informed decisions about their care, including accepting risk of aspiration for quality of life.