Cassandra Lyons is a 73-year-old retired administrative assistant. She has had recurrent episodes of pneumonia with weight loss for the past 5 months. Her past medical history includes high cholesterol and diabetes. Once again she is admitted to the hospital. The nurse suspects a swallowing problem and recommends an evaluation that involves direct visualization of the esophagus, which will most likely be performed by ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An endoscopy is the most appropriate and commonly used diagnostic tool to directly visualize the esophagus and determine if there is a swallowing problem. A barium swallow test may also be used, but it is not as sensitive or specific as an endoscopy. A neurological exam and surgery may be necessary depending on the underlying cause of the swallowing problem, but they are not the first-line diagnostic tests to evaluate for a swallowing problem.

Cassandra Lyons Is a 73-Year-Old Retired Administrative Assistant