Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

Which of the following is a potential complication of dysphagia in patients?

1. Weight gain

2. Fluid overload

3. Aspiration pneumonia

4. Skin breakdown

The correct answer is: Aspiration pneumonia

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can lead to significant complications, one of the most serious being aspiration pneumonia. This condition occurs when food, liquid, or saliva is inhaled into the lungs instead of being swallowed into the esophagus. Patients with dysphagia are at an increased risk of aspiration because their ability to safely manage oral intake is compromised. When materials enter the lungs, they can cause irritation and infection, ultimately leading to aspiration pneumonia, which can be quite severe and may require hospitalization and aggressive treatment, such as antibiotics. This highlights the critical need for careful assessment and management of dysphagia to prevent such life-threatening complications. The other options presented are associated with different conditions or scenarios but do not directly relate to the immediate dangers posed by dysphagia as aspiration pneumonia does. For instance, weight gain may occur if a patient is receiving supplemental nutrition without addressing the swallowing difficulty, but it is not a direct complication of dysphagia itself. Similarly, fluid overload might result from inappropriate fluid management, while skin breakdown is more typically associated with immobility or incontinence rather than swallowing issues.