Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing aspiration pneumonia?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, which increases the risk of food or liquid entering the airway and causing aspiration pneumonia. The other options do not necessarily increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) puts a person at highest risk for developing aspiration pneumonia because it increases the chance of food or liquid entering the lungs instead of the stomach. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when foreign material such as food or liquid, saliva, or vomit is breathed into the lungs. Patients with compromised pyloric sphincter and those on a jejunal tube feeding are also at risk for aspiration pneumonia, but not as high as someone with dysphagia. Low gastric residuals do not necessarily indicate a risk for aspiration pneumonia.

Which of the Following Patients Is at Highest Risk for Developing