Final answer:
The ASPEKT-C method uses a modified "dichotomized penetration-aspiration scale" categorized into 'penetration' and 'aspiration', crucial in assessing swallowing function for patients with dysphagia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ASPEKT-C method employs a modified "dichotomized penetration-aspiration scale," which is divided into two main categories: penetration and aspiration. The PAS is a multidimensional scale, meaning that more than one type of event is judged. The scale was designed to capture three constructs: depth of airway invasion, material remaining after the swallow, and a patient's response to aspiration. Penetration occurs when material enters the laryngeal vestibule but does not pass below the vocal folds, while aspiration occurs when material passes below the vocal folds, potentially entering the lungs. Clinicians often use this method to assess swallowing function and the risk of aspiration in patients with dysphagia.