Truth: Food and liquid recommendations are not dependent on one another. Was the person coughing or choking? If he was choking, you should probably give the Heimlich maneuver instead of writing it down.ĥ) Myth: Thickened liquids must be recommended along with modified solids. Please be specific when documenting trouble at mealtimes. Technically, choking is about not being able to breathe because something is obstructing the airway, but the term “choking” is often confused with “coughing”. It takes air to cough, so if you’re coughing, you’re breathing. Truth: Related to the one above, coughing is protective. But as above, you need to actually see what’s happening to know for sure. It can also be from another medical condition and completely unrelated to eating. A cough can be a sign of aspiration, but it can also be the way a person protects themselves from aspiration. A strong cough is a good sign you’re actually not getting food caught in your lungs. Truth: A cough is a protective reflex meant to expel things from the airway. Nobody has x-ray vision.Ģ) Myth: If you cough, you’re aspirating. The only way to tell if someone is taking food or liquid into their lungs is to see it on an instrumental swallowing assessment (MBS/VFSS or FEES). Truth: It’s called silent aspiration for a reason. The baby’s spine should curve in response, causing the head and feet to move towards the side being stroked.1) Myth: If you don’t cough, you aren’t aspirating. The Galant reflex is tested by holding the baby face-down in one hand while using the other hand to stroke the baby’s skin along either side of the spine. Step reflexĪ healthcare provider tests the step reflex by holding the baby upright and gently touching the baby’s feet to a surface. When a baby’s cheek is stroked, the baby will turn toward the cheek that was stroked and will make a gentle sucking motion. The rooting reflex is commonly used to achieve a breastfeeding latch. When the baby is caught, the baby will bring its arms back to its body. If a baby’s Moro reflex is present, the baby should appear startled and lift its palms upward, with its thumbs out. The professional administering the test lets the baby’s head drop backwards slightly, and then catches the head before it hits the pillow or mat behind it. The Moro reflex is tested by gently positioning a baby in a seated stance with the head supported. The baby should grasp the finger and may even maintain a firm grip on the finger. The grasp reflex is tested by placing a finger in the baby’s open palm. In an adult, the foot and toes will curl inward. The baby’s toes will fan out and the big toe will move upward. The Babinski reflex is tested by stroking the underside of the baby’s foot, from the top of the sole toward the heel. If the baby’s head is turned to the right, the baby will assume the opposite position. This means if the head is turned to the left, the right arm flexes and the left arm reaches straight away from the body with the hand slightly opened. This causes the baby to take on a “fencer” position. Asymmetrical tonic neck reflexĪ baby shows the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex when they are lying down and the head is turned gently to the side. Tests for neonatal reflexes check if babies react appropriately to certain stimuli.
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