J Korean Dysphagia Soc.  2011 Jan;1(1):50-53.

Nursing Care of Patients with Dysphagia

• Park YH

Abstract

Dysphagia becomes an increasingly common problem ad people age; its prevalence and the increased risk of related complications have brought the attention of nurses. Especially with a growing number of older people in nursing homes suffering from dysphagia, need for evidence-bases dysphagia assessment and nursing management increasing worldwide. Older adults with dysphagia can be identified through systematic interviews, observations, and test swallows. The diverse range of causes may manifest in a number of different ways, but should always act as a warning sign, which requires further investigation. Management is multidisciplinary, depending on the underlying cause, extent of dysphagia, likely prognosis, and setting. Nurses have successfully used standardized swallowing assessments to provide early detection and management of dysphagia. Nurses benefit from application of systematic guideline. Early detection and management of dysphagia by nurses using a standardized guideline is essential for evidence- based nursing practice in nursing homes as well as acute care settings.

Keyword

Dysphagia; Aged; Evidence-based nursing practice; Assessment