CCC Swallowing and Feeding Disorders 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which phase of swallowing involves the bolus being moved from the anterior to the posterior oral cavity by the tongue?
- Oral preparatory phase
- Oral transport phase (Correct answer)
- Pharyngeal phase
- Esophageal phase
Correct answer: Oral transport phase
The oral transport (propulsion) phase involves the tongue propelling the bolus posteriorly toward the pharynx.
Question 2: Laryngeal penetration during swallowing is defined as bolus material entering which structure without passing below the vocal folds?
- Pyriform sinuses
- Laryngeal vestibule above the vocal folds (Correct answer)
- Esophagus
- Valleculae
Correct answer: Laryngeal vestibule above the vocal folds
Penetration occurs when material enters the laryngeal vestibule (above the vocal folds) but does not pass below them into the trachea.
Question 3: Which instrumental assessment uses fluoroscopy to evaluate all phases of swallowing in real time?
- Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
- Modified barium swallow study (MBSS) (Correct answer)
- High-resolution manometry
- Ultrasound imaging
Correct answer: Modified barium swallow study (MBSS)
The Modified Barium Swallow Study uses dynamic fluoroscopy with barium-coated boluses to visualize swallowing physiology across all phases.
Question 4: Silent aspiration is defined as aspiration that occurs without which response?
- Laryngeal elevation
- Cough or throat clear (Correct answer)
- Tongue retraction
- Esophageal peristalsis
Correct answer: Cough or throat clear
Silent aspiration occurs when material enters the airway below the vocal folds without triggering a cough or throat-clearing response.
Question 5: The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) is an 8-point scale used during instrumental swallowing evaluation to rate:
- Oral preparatory phase integrity
- Depth and response to airway invasion (Correct answer)
- Esophageal transit time
- Pharyngeal residue severity
Correct answer: Depth and response to airway invasion
The PAS rates the depth at which material enters the airway and the patient's response (cough, no response) on an 8-point scale.
Question 6: Which compensatory swallowing strategy involves turning the head toward the weaker side to redirect the bolus?
- Chin tuck
- Head turn (Correct answer)
- Supraglottic swallow
- Effortful swallow
Correct answer: Head turn
Head rotation toward the damaged side closes off that pyriform sinus, directing the bolus to the stronger side for safer passage.
CCC Swallowing and Feeding Disorders 1
Which phase of swallowing involves the bolus being moved from the anterior to the posterior oral cavity by the tongue?