The Management of Dysphagia in Stroke Patients
The management of dysphagia in stroke patients whether in long term or acute care is an important care delivery that nurses must pay close attention to. Nurses must take the time to assess stroke patients for dysphagia in order to prevent or reduce the risk of nutritional and hydration deficiency. Stroke occurs when there is inadequate blood flow (ischemia) the brain or hemorrhaging around the brain resulting in death of brain cells (Lewis, 2010). When a person suffers a stroke, parts of the body become paralyzed or weakened, fortunately with a rigorous rehabilitation programs the chance of recovery and return to normal activities of daily life are achievable. Lewis defines dysphagia as “any impairment in eating, drinking or swallowing” (p.1029, 2010) and it is a serious problem which can lead to numerous negative consequences including weight loss, dehydration and aspiration (Touhy & Jett, 2010, p.120). Patient with this problem lose their appetite and refuse to eat because they experience pain or discomfort while swallowing. As a result, patients with dysphagia become malnourished, and they need to be placed on IV solution or on GT feeding in order to provide them with essential nutrients thereby helping them maintain a healthy body weight.
The purpose of this paper is to provide information about dysphagia management and rehabilitation by using the case study of Mr Richard Smith to illustrate the complexity of problems stroke patients face. The study further highlights the criticality of timelines in the assessments and immediate implementation of nutrition and hydration procedures by the health care team.
According to Sarah Michelle Hughes, the author of “Management of dysphagia in stroke patient,” patients who suffer from stroke are often times affected by complication like dysphagia and dysphagia. Management of dysphagia is crucial during rehabilitation so because it can reduce if not prevent the risk of aspiration pneumonia, morbidity and
The purpose of this paper is to provide information about dysphagia management and rehabilitation by using the case study of Mr Richard Smith to illustrate the complexity of problems stroke patients face. The study further highlights the criticality of timelines in the assessments and immediate implementation of nutrition and hydration procedures by the health care team.
According to Sarah Michelle Hughes, the author of “Management of dysphagia in stroke patient,” patients who suffer from stroke are often times affected by complication like dysphagia and dysphagia. Management of dysphagia is crucial during rehabilitation so because it can reduce if not prevent the risk of aspiration pneumonia, morbidity and
References: Hughes, S.M. (2011). Management of dysphagia in stroke patients. Nursing Older People, 23(3), 21-24. Lewis, S.L. Heitkemper, M.M., Dirksen, S.R., & O’Brien, P.G., Bucher, L. (2010). Medical – Surgical nursing in Canada: Assessment and management of clinical problem. Toronto: Mosby Elsevier. Touhy, T.A. & Jett, K.F. (2010). Ebersole and Hess’ Gerontological nursing and healthy aging (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.