Question

What is the priority action for a client who has manifestations of dysphagia?

1) Assess the client's swallowing ability
2) Administer medication for pain relief
3) Encourage the client to eat quickly
4) Provide the client with a straw

Answer 1

The first action should be to assess the client's swallowing ability to avoid complications like aspiration. During the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, the body uses mechanisms like the closure of the epiglottis to prevent food from entering the respiratory pathways. The autonomic nervous system controls this phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority action for a client presenting with signs of dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, would be to assess the client's swallowing ability. This assessment is crucial as it can help prevent complications such as aspiration, where food may enter the respiratory pathways instead of going down the esophagus. The process of deglutition, or swallowing, involves three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase.

During the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, there is a risk of food entering the respiratory pathways. To block this risk, the body initiates several protective reflexes. The larynx elevates, the epiglottis closes over the trachea, and the upper esophageal sphincter opens to allow food to enter the esophagus while keeping the respiratory passageways covered and protected from aspiration. This phase, as well as the esophageal phase, is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, highlighting the complexity and coordination required during the swallowing process.