ENT

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Assess ear, nose and throat symptoms, recognise urgent complications and plan safe treatment, referral and rehabilitation.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 4 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 15 / 20

Dysphagia, Aspiration & Foreign Bodies

Assess swallowing safety and recognise complete obstruction or dangerous ingested objects.

Answer all 10 questions, then submit to see your score and explanations. This is a self-study exercise; results are not saved.

Question 01. Difficulty initiating a swallow with coughing suggests concern for what? A. Isolated earwaxB. Oropharyngeal swallowing dysfunctionC. Simple nasal itchD. Presbycusis

Question 02. Progressive food sticking after swallowing may need which assessment? A. Only an ear examinationB. Reassurance based on ageC. Investigation for oesophageal or structural diseaseD. No review if the mouth looks normal

Question 03. A patient cannot swallow saliva after food becomes stuck. What is appropriate? A. Emergency assessmentB. More food to push it downC. Routine review in a monthD. Induced vomiting at home

Question 04. Should a suspected food bolus be pushed down with repeated drinks or food? A. NoB. Yes, in every caseC. Only if pain is mildD. Only if the person is standing

Question 05. Can aspiration occur without an obvious cough? A. NoB. Yes, silent aspiration is possibleC. Only during sleep in healthy adultsD. Only with nasal polyps

Question 06. Who helps tailor swallowing strategies and texture recommendations? A. Anyone without assessmentB. Only a hearing-aid technicianC. Only the patient’s employerD. A trained swallowing or speech and language team

Question 07. Why is an oesophageal button battery urgent? A. It is always harmless if painlessB. It dissolves safely in every caseC. It can cause rapid local tissue injuryD. It only affects hearing

Question 08. Should vomiting be induced after a dangerous swallowed foreign body? A. Yes, routinelyB. Only after swallowing a sharp objectC. Only if a battery is suspectedD. No

Question 09. Which combination is a structural-disease warning pattern? A. Progressive dysphagia with weight lossB. Brief resolved itch aloneC. Stable hearing-aid useD. Normal appetite without swallowing symptoms

Question 10. What if symptoms progress despite a reassuring initial test? A. Reassess and continue the diagnostic pathwayB. Close the case permanentlyC. Assume symptoms are impossibleD. Repeat only reassurance

0 / 10 answered

References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

Reference review: 28 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.