Parkinson's Parkinson's Speech and Communication 2

Question 1

What is the medical term for the difficulty swallowing that affects a significant number of people with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dysphagia

Answer

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, and it occurs in up to 80% of people with Parkinson's disease due to impaired motor control of the swallowing muscles.

Question 2

Which phase of the swallowing process is most commonly impaired in Parkinson's disease, increasing the risk of food or liquid entering the airway?

Accepted Answer

Pharyngeal phase

Answer

The pharyngeal phase is most commonly impaired in Parkinson's disease because reduced and delayed muscle contractions in the throat increase the risk of aspiration.

Question 3

What serious pulmonary complication, directly resulting from dysphagia, is a leading cause of death in people with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration pneumonia

Answer

Aspiration pneumonia, caused by food or liquid entering the lungs instead of the stomach, is one of the most common causes of death in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Question 4

Excessive drooling, known as sialorrhea, in Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Reduced frequency of automatic swallowing

Answer

Sialorrhea in Parkinson's is not due to excess saliva production but rather due to reduced automatic swallowing frequency, causing saliva to pool in the mouth and spill out.

Question 5

Which healthcare professional is primarily responsible for evaluating and treating swallowing difficulties in patients with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Speech-language pathologist

Answer

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assess and treat swallowing disorders (dysphagia) as well as speech and communication difficulties in Parkinson's patients.

Parkinson's Practice Test

Parkinson's Practice Test

Parkinson's Parkinson's Speech and Communication 2