Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia in older adults
1Harmony Primary Care, Baltimore, Maryland 21209, USA. Ellensue99@gmail.com
Purpose:
To review the risks, diagnosis, management, and prevention of aspiration pneumonia in adults over age 65, and discuss the major role of dysphagia as a risk factor in this population.
Data Sources:
A comprehensive search of the literature using PubMed (MedLine) and CINAHL.
Conclusions:
Aspiration pneumonia is a common diagnosis in older adults and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, often related to stroke, dementia, poor oral hygiene, or multiple chronic illnesses, increases the risk of aspiration. Nurse practitioners (NPs) need to be aware that frequent episodes of pneumonia may be caused by aspiration: therefore it is prudent to identify dysphagia and implement precautions.
Implications For Practice:
Numerous physical, cognitive, or environmental factors have been identified as predictors of aspiration pneumonia. Knowledge of clinical features, treatments, and prevention will help NPs improve outcomes in older adults with aspiration pneumonia; especially those in long-term care.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Esophageal Achalasia
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment