During meals for a patient with dysphagia, what should be monitored?

• A. Monitor heart rate during meals.
• B. Check blood pressure before meals.
• C. Monitor for signs of aspiration during meals.
• D. Monitor weight gain weekly.

Answer: (C)

When a patient has dysphagia, protecting the airway during meals is the priority. Monitor for signs that food or liquid is entering the airway—such as sudden coughing or choking during or just after swallowing, a wet or gurgly voice, throat clearing, or increased respiratory effort. These cues indicate possible aspiration, so feeding should be paused, the patient repositioned upright, and swallowing should be reassessed. Interventions may include adjusting texture or thickness of liquids, using swallow techniques, and involving a speech-language pathologist to optimize safety. While watching vital signs or weight is important in broader care, the immediate focus during meals is detecting and responding to aspiration risk to prevent pneumonia and other complications.