Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

In which phase of swallowing is a patient with reduced lip closure and tongue-to-palate contact MOST LIKELY experiencing dysphagia?

1. Esophageal phase

2. Oral phase

3. Oral preparatory phase

4. Pharyngeal phase

The correct answer is: Oral phase

The oral phase of swallowing encompasses the actions involved in preparing the food bolus and moving it to the back of the mouth for swallowing. During this phase, effective lip closure and the ability to make contact between the tongue and the palate are crucial for normal swallowing function. If a patient has reduced lip closure, they may struggle to contain the food or liquid in their mouth, leading to spillage. Similarly, inadequate contact between the tongue and the palate can hinder the effective propulsion of the bolus toward the oropharynx. As a result, when a patient exhibits difficulties with lip closure and tongue-to-palate contact, it indicates that they are likely experiencing issues during the oral phase, which is primarily responsible for these movements. Problems in the oral phase can significantly impact the overall swallowing process, but they relate specifically to the preparation and transport of the bolus, rather than the subsequent phases of swallowing. In contrast, the esophageal phase relates to the movement of the bolus through the esophagus, while the pharyngeal phase involves the reflexive actions that occur once the bolus reaches the pharynx. The oral preparatory phase focuses on the initial handling and preparation of food but does not directly address the movement needed to propel the bol