Deck 17: Dysphagia and Malnutrition

Question 1

Although commonly considered to be protective, the gag reflex is not an indication of the patient's ability to swallow.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A small bolus of food will enter the pharynx more quickly than a large bolus, thus, increasing the risk for aspiration.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Only medications that have been specifically designed to be crushed or opened (capsules) may be administered in that manner.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which of the following is the most significant social cause of malnutrition and weight loss in older adults?

A) Disability
B) Poverty
C) Depression
D) Loneliness

Question 5

Since body mass index (BMI) can be difficult to assess in older adults, measuring the circumference of what body part can also be an option for nutritional screening tools?

A) Neck
B) Calf
C) Wrist
D) Abdomen

Question 6

Which of the following is a screening tool, not a reliable diagnostic tool, but has had some success in promoting public awareness of malnutrition?

A) DETERMINE checklist
B) Malnutrition Risk Scale (SCALES)
C) Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)
D) Food Expectations-Long-Term Care (Food EX-LTC)

Question 7

Levels of which of the following, sometimes referred to as the "starvation hormone," decrease as malnutrition becomes more pronounced in older adults?

A) Leptin
B) Albumin
C) Prealbumin
D) Metformin

Question 8

In a population-based study of 38,772 older women from the Iowa Women's Health Study, vitamin and mineral supplementation was associated with increased mortality risk with the strongest correlation being with which of the following minerals?

A) Iron
B) Zinc
C) Calcium
D) Sodium

Question 9

Protein and which of the following vitamins are the nutrients found to be essential to older adults?

A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B₁₂
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D

Question 10

What healthcare professional can be invaluable in assessing and treating dysphagia and swallowing problems?

A) Physical therapist
B) Registered dietitian
C) Occupational therapist
D) Speech-language pathologist

Question 11

In response to a decrease in energy needs and expenditures, older age leads to a physiological change referred to as anorexia of aging.

Question 12

A cough early in the swallow and nasal regurgitation are symptoms associated with esophageal dysphagia.

Question 13

Nearly 50% of patients die within 6 months after PEG insertion, often from insertion complications such as peritonitis or severe wound infections.

Question 14

During the pharyngeal swallow, what structure redirects the bolus around the airway, protecting the respiratory tract?

A) Uvula
B) Larynx
C) Pharynx
D) Epiglottis

Question 15

Which of the following represents a mechanical cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia?

A) Tumors
B) Strictures
C) Medication irritation
D) Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Question 16

Detection of which of the following during a swallow maneuver grossly suggests airway closure?

A) Dyspnea
B) Coughing
C) Gag reflex
D) Laryngeal elevation

Question 17

Which of the following has been found to be an effective, efficient tool to detect aspiration while eating?

A) Actigraphy
B) Pulse oximetry
C) Electrocardiography
D) Gatehead Dysphagia Management Model

Question 18

Which of the following assessment tools for malnutrition is a free tool that can be used by any health professional and does not require any anthropometrical or biochemical measurements?

A) Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
B) Instant Nutritional Assessment (INA)
C) Malnutrition Risk Scale (SCALES)
D) Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)

Question 19

Which of the following anthropometric measures can be used as a predictor of mortality in older adults living in long-term care facilities?

A) Body mass index
B) Triceps skin fold
C) Mid-upper arm circumference
D) Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Question 20

Which of the following is an inexpensive, quick, and noninvasive tool used in clinical practice to estimate fat mass versus lean mass?

A) Body mass index
B) Triceps skin fold
C) Mid-upper arm circumference
D) Bioelectrical impedance analysis