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Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related
Care
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Speech therapists do the swallowing
studies and devise treatment plans in most hospitals.
- After observing Mr. Robinson attempt to
swallow a small amount of water, the speech therapist feels a
videofluoroscopic
swallowing study (VFSS)
is needed.
- The VFSS consists of real-time
flouroscopic observation of the patient as he swallows a pasty glob of
barium.
- In the case of Mr. Robinson, the study
is decidedly abnormal.
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Normal VFSS for
comparison |
Mr. Robinson's VFSS |
So, Mr. Robinson would appear to be
under-nourished for two reasons:
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First, because of his Parkinson's
disease, he has difficulty swallowing.
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Second, he's depressed, and with good
reason, and as a consequence is not eating.
What do we
do now? |
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