dysphagia screening

Question 1

what is the first step in the screening checklist?

Answer 1

see if the patient has a history of recurrent pneumonia

Question 2

in step two we are looking at diagnoses, which ones are we asking about?

Answer 2

partial laryngectomy
oral resection
radiation to head or neck
anoxia
parkinson’s
motor neuron disease
MG
bulbar polio
anterior cervical spinal fusion
brainstem stroke
GB
laryngeal trauma

Question 3

what are we looking for in step 3?

Answer 3

history of prolonged or traumatic intubation or emergency tracheostomy

Question 4

what are we looking for in steps four, five, and six?

Answer 4

4. severe respiratory problems
5. gurgle voice, cry
6. coughing before, during, or after swallow

Question 5

what are we looking for in steps seven, eight, and nine?

Answer 5

7. poor awareness and/or control of secretions
8. infrequent swallowing (less than one saliva swallow every 5 min)
9. constant copious chest secretions

Question 6

what is step 10?

Answer 6

observing the patient eating or during a saliva swallow

Question 7

what do we make note of during step 10?

Answer 7

breathing difficulties
increased secretions
voice changes
multiple swallows per bolus
reduced laryngeal lifting
throat clearing
coughing
significant fatigue