Dysphagia Final Exam with complete
questions and correct answers
During an assessment, the patient was not able to produce voiced speech sounds. The SLP concludes
that the vocal folds are not adducting. What are the two primary muscles responsible for vocal fold
adduction? - Correct Answer: Lateral cricoarytenoid
Transverse arytenoid
In a normal swallow of a liquid bolus, the oropharynx is sealed the bolus is held in the oral cavity until
the swallow begins. What anatomical structures create the seal that prevents the liquid from entering
the oropharynx prematurely? - Correct Answer: the soft palate and the tongue
A patient explains that "when I swallow pills, it feels like they get stuck in my chest." In the absence of
complicated neurological etiologies, where is the pill most likely getting stuck? - Correct Answer: in the
upper esophagus or in a diverticulum
During an oral mechanism examination, the patient was not able to execute many of the movements of
the tongue, such as elevation, retraction, and depression. What cranial nerve is likely involved? - Correct
Answer: Cranial nerve XII
Cranial nerve ___________ contributes to the movement of the hyoid and the mandible, not the
tongue. - Correct Answer: V (the trigeminal nerve)
Cranial nerve __________ contributes primarily to the movements of the face, lips, and nose, but not
the tongue. - Correct Answer: VII (the facial nerve)
Cranial nerve ____________ contributes to innervation and movement of the muscles of the pharynx,
but not the tongue. - Correct Answer: X (the vagus nerve)
During FEES, a patient could not feel the scope in the nasopharynx. Then, with further assessment with
VFSS, the patient was found to have virtually no laryngeal elevation. Involvement of cranial nerve ____
might explain BOTH the sensory and movement deficits in this patient. - Correct Answer: IX
Glossopharyngeal
, During the pharyngeal phases of swallowing, the larynx and hyoid bone move - Correct Answer: upward
and forward
Which muscle contributes to hyolaryngeal depression? - Correct Answer: sternohyoid
Following a car accident, a patient that is being treated by an SLP exhibits weakness in the obicularis oris
and buccinator muscles. Which of the following problems would be the MOST LIKELY presentation of
this patient's dysphagia? - Correct Answer: Oral incontinence with anterior and lateral residue
A patient has recently sustained lower motor neuron damage to his/her trigeminal nerve (CN V) and is
experiencing difficulty with mastication. Which of the following muscles could be experiencing deficits
secondary to the nerve damage? - Correct Answer: Masseter
Cranial nerves can include motor functions, sensory functions, or a mix of both. Which of the following
cranial nerves (CNs) serve both motor and sensory functions? - Correct Answer: CN V, CN IX, CN X
Which of the following is not a disorder of the pharyngeal phase of the swallow? - Correct Answer:
premature spillage over the base of the tongue
Sarcopenia can be defined as - Correct Answer: a reduction in lean skeletal muscle mass with a marked
loss of strength and speed of movement.
Which of the following is not a factor in predicting dysphagia in community dwelling elderly (CDE)? -
Correct Answer: they are all factors in predicting dysphagia
Cognitive decline
Social factors such as reduced communication
Clinical disease
As individuals age, they may experience lingual hypertrophy from fatty deposits and an increase in
connective tissue. What is the potential impact of that on swallowing. - Correct Answer: reduction in
tongue mobility and tongue force
questions and correct answers
During an assessment, the patient was not able to produce voiced speech sounds. The SLP concludes
that the vocal folds are not adducting. What are the two primary muscles responsible for vocal fold
adduction? - Correct Answer: Lateral cricoarytenoid
Transverse arytenoid
In a normal swallow of a liquid bolus, the oropharynx is sealed the bolus is held in the oral cavity until
the swallow begins. What anatomical structures create the seal that prevents the liquid from entering
the oropharynx prematurely? - Correct Answer: the soft palate and the tongue
A patient explains that "when I swallow pills, it feels like they get stuck in my chest." In the absence of
complicated neurological etiologies, where is the pill most likely getting stuck? - Correct Answer: in the
upper esophagus or in a diverticulum
During an oral mechanism examination, the patient was not able to execute many of the movements of
the tongue, such as elevation, retraction, and depression. What cranial nerve is likely involved? - Correct
Answer: Cranial nerve XII
Cranial nerve ___________ contributes to the movement of the hyoid and the mandible, not the
tongue. - Correct Answer: V (the trigeminal nerve)
Cranial nerve __________ contributes primarily to the movements of the face, lips, and nose, but not
the tongue. - Correct Answer: VII (the facial nerve)
Cranial nerve ____________ contributes to innervation and movement of the muscles of the pharynx,
but not the tongue. - Correct Answer: X (the vagus nerve)
During FEES, a patient could not feel the scope in the nasopharynx. Then, with further assessment with
VFSS, the patient was found to have virtually no laryngeal elevation. Involvement of cranial nerve ____
might explain BOTH the sensory and movement deficits in this patient. - Correct Answer: IX
Glossopharyngeal
, During the pharyngeal phases of swallowing, the larynx and hyoid bone move - Correct Answer: upward
and forward
Which muscle contributes to hyolaryngeal depression? - Correct Answer: sternohyoid
Following a car accident, a patient that is being treated by an SLP exhibits weakness in the obicularis oris
and buccinator muscles. Which of the following problems would be the MOST LIKELY presentation of
this patient's dysphagia? - Correct Answer: Oral incontinence with anterior and lateral residue
A patient has recently sustained lower motor neuron damage to his/her trigeminal nerve (CN V) and is
experiencing difficulty with mastication. Which of the following muscles could be experiencing deficits
secondary to the nerve damage? - Correct Answer: Masseter
Cranial nerves can include motor functions, sensory functions, or a mix of both. Which of the following
cranial nerves (CNs) serve both motor and sensory functions? - Correct Answer: CN V, CN IX, CN X
Which of the following is not a disorder of the pharyngeal phase of the swallow? - Correct Answer:
premature spillage over the base of the tongue
Sarcopenia can be defined as - Correct Answer: a reduction in lean skeletal muscle mass with a marked
loss of strength and speed of movement.
Which of the following is not a factor in predicting dysphagia in community dwelling elderly (CDE)? -
Correct Answer: they are all factors in predicting dysphagia
Cognitive decline
Social factors such as reduced communication
Clinical disease
As individuals age, they may experience lingual hypertrophy from fatty deposits and an increase in
connective tissue. What is the potential impact of that on swallowing. - Correct Answer: reduction in
tongue mobility and tongue force
