Do not rely on the presence of a gag reflex to determine when to feed. Ask the patient to cough test for a gag reflex on both sides of the posterior pharyngeal wall (lingual surface) with a tongue blade. Ask the patient to swallow feel the larynx elevate. Assess the ability to swallow by positioning the examiner’s thumb and index finger on the patient’s laryngeal protuberance. The causes of swallowing problems vary, and treatment depends on the cause.Īssessment is necessary to determine potential problems that may have lead to dysphagia as well as handle any difficulty that may appear during nursing care.ġ. Dysphagia can befall at any age, but it’s more prevalent in older adults.ĭysphagia can befall at any age, but it’s more prevalent in older adults. It is a common complaint among older adults, in those individuals who have had a stroke, suffered head trauma, have head or neck cancer, or experience progressive neurological diseases as of multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. The swallowing muscles can become weak with age or inactivity. It can be a temporary or permanent complication that can be fatal.Īspiration of food or fluid can also occur possibly brought about by a structural problem, interruption or dysfunction of neural pathways, decreased strength or excursion of muscles involved in mastication, facial paralysis, or perceptual impairment. It occurs when the muscles and nerves that help move food through the throat and esophagus are not working right. Impaired swallowing involves more time and effort to transfer food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Use this nursing diagnosis guide to help you create nursing interventions for impaired swallowing nursing care plan.

Death Blade by Peg Case