ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to emphasise the value of considering respiratory problems within case history taking and functional assessment, as well as promoting the importance of multidisciplinary team working, in order to prevent the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia. Medical management of aspiration pneumonia includes antibiotic treatment to reduce infection, and analgesia to prevent pain interfering with client expectoration of secretions. Aspiration of large amounts of acidic gastric contents may result in an acid burn to the lungs, causing adult respiratory distress syndrome. Aspiration does not necessarily result in aspiration pneumonia. Terpenning suggests that the defences against aspiration pneumonia are oral, pharyngeal and pulmonary. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma cause more shallow, irregular respiration, to the extent that anticipation of a utensil touching the lips may be enough to set off a cough. Clients with COPD may demonstrate decompensations in airway protection at the level of the larynx and reductions in swallow efficiency.
