Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

In patients experiencing dysphagia, what is a significant risk associated with this condition?

1. Increased appetite

2. Fluid retention

3. Nutritional deficiencies

4. Excessive salivation

The correct answer is: Nutritional deficiencies

The risk of nutritional deficiencies in patients experiencing dysphagia is a significant concern due to the difficulty they have swallowing food and liquids. When individuals have trouble swallowing, they may not be able to consume adequate nutrition to meet their needs, leading to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. This can result in weight loss, muscle wasting, and overall deterioration of health. Dysphagia can also affect a person's ability to consume a balanced diet, as certain foods may be more difficult to swallow, leading to a reliance on softer or modified foods that may not provide all necessary nutrients. In more severe cases, this can necessitate the use of feeding tubes, which, while helpful, may still not fully address nutritional needs without careful management. Other options such as increased appetite, fluid retention, and excessive salivation do not directly correlate with the primary concerns associated with dysphagia. Individuals often experience reduced appetite as a result of their symptoms, and fluid retention or excessive salivation would not typically be directly tied to the challenges of swallowing.