RainesGass, D. R. B., & Barous, T. R. M. F. (2020). Stroke Complications: Dysphagia. CINAHL Nursing Guide.Dysphagia (i.e., difficulty swallowing) is a common complication of stroke. Dysphagia increases poststroke risk for malnutrition, dehydration, poor adherence with oral medication regimens, aspiration pneumonia (i.e., lung inflammation resulting from food, liquid, oral bacteria, stomach contents, or other foreign material entering the lungs through the trachea), airway obstruction, and death. Patients with dysphagia are more likely to aspirate thin liquids than semi-solids because thin liquids require more coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.Timely evaluation for dysphagia after stroke is critical to reduce the risk for related complications. A bedside swallow screen should be performed by a nurse, speech-language pathologist, or other trained healthcare provider upon admission (preferably within 4 hours of arrival at the hospital) and prior to any oral intake. Repeated swallowing assessments involving the administration of various consistencies (e.g., solids, semi-solids, liquids) and volumes are necessary because symptoms of dysphagia can fluctuate during the stroke recovery process. Referral to a speech-language pathologist for further evaluation and treatment should be considered for any patient experiencing dysphagia.
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