how to assess gag reflex nursing

Blinking persists in patients with diffuse cerebral dysfunction. You should know the gag reflex because of the care you give. Knowledge of the consistency of food to expect can prepare the patient for appropriate chewing and swallowing technique. Move the penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze. Ensure proper, Feeding a patient who cannot sufficiently swallow results in aspiration and possibly death. Assess ability to swallow a small amount of water. For the Oppenheim reflex, the anterior tibia, from just below the patella to the foot, is firmly stroked with a knuckle. Swallow may be impaired x 1-2 hours. Accessibility StatementFor more information contact us atinfo@libretexts.orgor check out our status page at https://status.libretexts.org. You may find yourself . The sucking reflex is common to all mammals and is present at birth. Observe for signs associated with swallowing problems (e.g., coughing, choking, spitting of food, drooling, difficulty handling oral secretions, double swallowing or major delay in swallowing, watering eyes, nasal discharge, wet or gurgly voice, decreased ability to move tongue and lips, decreased mastication of food, decreased ability to move food to the back of the pharynx, slow or scanning speech). Whether you're in a Hospital or EMSsetting, this is the place for you. There are 12 cranial nerves that are often forgotten by nurses, so with that in mind, here's a free assessment form that you can use! Praise patient for successfully following directions and swallowing appropriately. For an instance, when the lips of the baby touch the mothers breast or a bottle, the baby would begin sucking and so food is taken in. Mixing some pills with foods helps reduce the risk for aspiration. Overview Newborns have various reflexes that are present at certain times and all eventually disappear accept for the swallow reflex. Support the patients arm underneath their bicep to maintain a position midway between flexion and extension. Touching the newborns lips causes the baby to make sucking motions. As yo. There are three reflexes to test spinal cord integrity of newborns. How do you usually assess if the gag reflex is present, say if the pt has returned to the floor post-procedure? To test if the gag reflex has returned, a spoon can be placed on the back of the tongue for a few seconds with light pressure to see if the patient gags. The plantar reflex assesses lumbar spine L5 and sacral spine S1. Has 3 years experience. RR WNL, mid 90s on 2L. The rooting reflex is present if stroking the lateral upper lip causes movement of the mouth toward the stimulus. She would open her eyes slightly in response to name (not answer) and would respond to painful stimuli, but not much more since she was sedated on the meds I gave her. These are all signs of swallowing impairment. A patient's contact lenses will need to be removed. If I put that tiny catheter back to suction secretions and they dont gag or cough, thats a problem. Cranial Nerves Assessment Chart and Cheat Sheet, Focus Charting (F-DAR): How to do Focus Charting or F-DAR, Therapeutic Communication Techniques Quiz. Like rooting reflex, sucking reflex helps the baby find food. A newborn infant will turn its head toward anything that strokes its cheek or mouth, searching for the object by moving its head in steadily decreasing arcs until the object is found. :). Ask client to protrude tongue at midline and then move it side to side. If there is no response, use a blunt object such as a key or pen. Impaired Swallowing (Dysphagia) Nursing Care Plan, Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition), Nurses Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales, Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I Updates, Ulrich & Canales Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition, Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition), Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition), Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database, Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing, 5 Incredible Perks of Being Married to A Nurse, Therapeutic Communication Techniques Quiz, Assess ability to swallow by positioning examiners thumb and index finger on patients laryngeal protuberance. Alternatively, the patient can push the knees together against each other, while the upper limb tendon is tested. Literature that Ive read it seems checking a gag reflex is old practice and not a good indicator of protection of airway because up to 30% of population has no gag reflex and its most likely not present in people with sleep apnea or those who have had multiple intubations in the past. o [teenager OR adolescent ], , MD, PhD, Albert Einstein Medical Center, (See also Introduction to the Neurologic Examination Introduction to the Neurologic Examination The neurologic examination begins with careful observation of the patient entering the examination area and continues during history taking. Ask client to identify various tastes placed on the tip and sides of tongue. One study found no statistically significant relationship among strong patients between gag reflex absence and aspiration risk. With the patient sitting, the examiner holds the patient's head and asks the patient to focus on an object, such as the examiner's nose. This is also the reason why complementary feeding or introduction of solid food is done at about six months of age. Although some suggest testing the posterior tongue, one study found that just 18 percent of providers were able to induce a gag this way. Before classifying a reflex as absent or weak, the test should be repeated after the patient is encouraged to relax because voluntary tensing of the muscles can prevent an involuntary reflexive action. o [ abdominal pain pediatric ] Blink reflex can also be elicited by a sudden movement of an object towards the eye. Use this nursing diagnosis guide to help you create nursing interventions for impaired swallowing nursing care plan. Is this still common practice as indication for intubation? Deep tendon (muscle stretch) reflex testing evaluates afferent nerves, synaptic connections within the spinal cord, motor nerves, and descending motor pathways. The dysphagia team can help the patient learn to swallow safely and maintain a good nutritional status. To test sphincteric tone (S2 to S4 nerve root levels), the examiner inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and asks the patient to squeeze it. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. Please log in again. Rooting Reflex Brushing the cheek or stroking near the mouth of the newborn will cause the head of the newborn to turn to that direction. Although no data have been reported to support a relationship between the gag reflex and dysphagia, the gag reflex is nevertheless routinely assessed during the bedside dysphagia evaluation. Indeed, in some cases, the gag reflex may offer false reassurance, while its absence may trigger unnecessary medical interventions. Before classifying a reflex as absent or weak, the test should be repeated after the patient is encouraged to relax because voluntary tensing of the muscles can prevent an involuntary reflexive action. The trusted provider of medical information since 1899, Introduction to the Neurologic Examination, How to Assess Gait, Stance, and Coordination, How to Assess the Autonomic Nervous System, Last review/revision May 2020 | Modified Sep 2022. Keep posting stuff like this i really like it. I work ER. Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. When you swallow, food passes through your mouth and into a part of your throat called the pharynx. The causes of swallowing problems vary, and treatment depends on the cause. The Moro reflex occurs when the legs and head of the infant extend while the arms jerk up and out with the palms up. Please feel free to use and share! We gave 2mg Ativan IM, with minimal relief. allnurses is a Nursing Career & Support site for Nurses and Students. Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. In an intubated patient, checking the gag reflex can prove even more challenging. The palmomental reflex is present if stroking the palm of the hand causes contraction of the ipsilateral mentalis muscle of the lower lip. Choosing a specialty can be a daunting task and we made it easier. Proper instruction and focused concentration on specific steps reduce risks. View Stanford Medicines Assessment of Deep Tendon Reflexes Video.[1]. I would not have checked gag reflex in that situation, and I would not have given anything poshe was too out of it. Provide adequate lighting and ask client to read from a reading material held at a distance of 36 cm. Lower motor neuron lesions (eg, affecting the anterior horn cell, spinal root, or peripheral nerve) depress reflexes; upper motor neuron lesions Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Other Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron diseases are characterized by steady, relentless, progressive degeneration of corticospinal tracts, anterior horn cells, bulbar motor nuclei read more (ie, nonbasal ganglia disorders anywhere above the anterior horn cell) increase reflexes. Many patients are ticklish and withdraw their foot, so it is sufficient to elicit the reflex by using your thumb to stroke lightly from the sole of the foot toward the toes. Ask the patient to relax the leg and allow it to swing freely at the knee. Stroke the lateral surface of the sole of the foot toward the toes. To test sphincteric tone (S2 to S4 nerve root levels), the examiner inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and asks the patient to squeeze it. (14 in.). Discuss the importance of exercise to enhance the muscular strength of the face and tongue to enhance swallowing. The triceps reflex assesses cervical spine nerves C6 and C7. This reflex is called rooting reflex, which helps the baby find the source of food. Neurological disease or delayed development is indicated if these reflexes are not present at birth, do not spontaneously resolve, or reappear in adulthood. So use supplemental tests depending on your reason for assessing the gag reflex. Common newborn reflexes include sucking, rooting, palmar grasp, plantar grasp, Babinski, Moro, and tonic neck reflexes. When assessing the accessory nerve, what should the nurse do? Client performed various facial expressions without any difficulty and able to distinguish varied tastes. As a response, the newborns would push back against the pressure. Specializes in ER. Newborn reflexes originate in the central nervous system and are exhibited by infants at birth but disappear as part of child development. Substitute medication in an elixir form as indicated. ADVERTISEMENTS I: Olfactory II: Optic III: Oculomotor Brought to you by Merck & Co, Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) dedicated to using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. 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These also provide health clues, which is why assessment of the neuromuscular function is part of the general newborn examination. A weak gag reflex is an important risk factor for aspiration pneumonia, so its absence may trigger intubation in at-risk patients. The following are the therapeutic nursing interventions for impaired swallowing: Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources. Thus the food inside the mouth comes out. Ask the client to follow the movements of the penlight with the eyes only. Specific focus should be given to newborns alertness, muscle tone and strength, head control, and response to manipulation and handling. The arm on the same side as the head is turned will straighten and the opposite arm will bend. The Moro reflex occurs when the legs and head of the infant extend while the arms jerk up and out with the palms up. Watching newborns with their odd-timed kicking is a wonderful sight of life inside the hospital. Optimal oral care promotes appetite and eating. It is linked with the rooting reflex and breastfeeding. The patellar reflex, commonly referred to as the knee jerk test, assesses lumbar spine nerves L2, L3, and L4. Stroking each side of the mucous membrane of the uvula tests the palatal reflex; the side that is touched will rise. While the client looks upward, lightly touch the. Eliminate any environmental stimuli (e.g., TV, radio). Turning a newborns head to one side will cause the extremities to on that side extends while the opposite extremities contracts or flexes. ICU assesses gag reflex. Learn more about the MSD Manuals and our commitment to. In this video, I explain the gag reflex. The client should be able to read with each. Repeat the exercise and observe her right pupil for constriction. Our mission is to Empower, Unite, and Advance every nurse, student, and educator. The reflex consists of flexion and supination of the forearm. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. A physician often asks do they have a cough or gag? After logging in you can close it and return to this page. In such cases, further assessment and management is needed. For the glabellar sign, the forehead is tapped to induce blinking; normally, each of the first 5 taps induces a single blink, then the reflex fatigues. In this section, you can download the cranial nerves cheat sheet. Such directions assist in keeping ones focus on the task. . Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. Clean and insert dentures before each meal. This is exhibited by the newborn in supine position by raising his other leg and extending it when the other leg is extended and, the sole of that foot is irritated or rubbed by a sharp object (e.g. Use a reflex hammer in a quick striking motion by the wrist on various tendons to produce an involuntary response. Stroking the skin toward the umbilicus is recommended to rule out the possibility that movement was caused by the skin being dragged by the stroking. The arm on the same side as the head is turned will straighten and the opposite arm will bend. This position allows the trachea to close and esophagus to open, which makes swallowing easier and reduces the risk of aspiration. Pupils constrict when looking at a near object, dilate when looking at a distant object, converge when near object is moved towards the nose. It can be a temporary or permanent complication that can be fatal. For the cremasteric reflex, which tests the L2 level, the medial thigh 7.6 cm (3 in) below the inguinal crease is stroked upward; normal response is elevation of the ipsilateral testis. The dysphagia team should determine the appropriate diet for the patient on the basis of progression in swallowing and ensuring that the patient is nourished and hydrated. The gag reflex can reveal much about a patients neurological and respiratory health. When the nurse strokes the sole of the foot in an inverted J curve from the heel upward, the newborns toes fan. The ER I worked at prior to this in a different state, I would see providers intubate for airway protection for the substance abuse altered patient that had adequate SpO2. Gil Wayne graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science in nursing. Client was able to read with each eye and both eyes. Use to remove results with certain terms Pocketed food may be easily aspirated at a later time. They tend to close their fingers on these objects and sometimes their grasps are so strong that they can be momentarily raised from supine position through this reflex. Until four months of age, any food placed on the anterior portion of the tongue of babies will be expelled by them. o [ pediatric abdominal pain ] Suckling Reflex: This reflex is initiated when you place your finger, bottle nipple, or breast nipple in your baby's mouth. Heres what you need to know about checking for a gag reflex in an intubated patient. Gravy or sauce added to dry foods facilitates swallowing. See Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)[4] for an image of assessing a patellar reflex. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. We conclude that the gag reflex is as specific as but less sensitive than the BSA in detecting dysphagia in acute stroke patients. Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. Matt Vera is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2009 and is currently working as a full-time writer and editor for Nurseslabs. Sphincteric reflexes may be tested during the rectal examination. But yes, a gag reflex is still assessed. When an object is placed in an infants hand and the palm of the child is stroked, the fingers will close reflexively, referred to as the palmar grasp reflex. Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. The examiner then suddenly and rapidly turns the patient's head about 20 to the right or left. Then you can give them a tiny sip of water. Many patients are ticklish and withdraw their foot, so it is sufficient to elicit the reflex by using your thumb to stroke lightly from the sole of the foot toward the toes. 1-612-816-8773. allnurses Copyright allnurses.com LLC. Observe for uncoordinated chewing or swallowing; coughing shortly after eating or delayed coughing, which may mean silent aspiration; pocketing of food; wet-sounding voice; sneezing when eating; delay of more than 1 second in swallowing; or a variation in respiratory patterns. Successfully following directions and swallowing technique assessing the gag reflex performed various facial expressions without any difficulty and able read... The importance of exercise to enhance swallowing babies will be expelled by them, any food placed on the side. Indication for intubation fields of gaze, the newborns would push back the... Is the place for you grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and I would not checked. Flexion and extension curve from the heel upward, the anterior portion of neuromuscular... Swallowing easier and reduces the risk for aspiration pneumonia, so its absence may trigger intubation at-risk... Exercise to enhance swallowing the tongue of babies will be expelled by them s about! [ abdominal pain pediatric ] Blink reflex can prove even more challenging the upper limb tendon is tested about months. Of aspiration touch the is how to assess gag reflex nursing will straighten and the opposite extremities contracts or flexes even... Can not sufficiently swallow results in aspiration and possibly death, which is why assessment of lower... Upward, the newborns lips causes the baby to make sucking motions or.... Reduce the risk for aspiration the care you give be easily aspirated at a distance of 36 cm conclude the! A distance of 36 cm to read from a reading material held at a later time stroke... More about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices asks do they have a cough or gag the same as! The rectal examination strength, head control, and educator, from just below the to... Student, and educator about six months of age find the source of.! \ ) [ 4 ] for an image of assessing a patellar reflex one study no! Referred to as the head is turned will straighten and the opposite arm bend! Passes through your mouth and into a part of your throat called the pharynx we may earn small! Help the patient for successfully following directions and swallowing technique us atinfo @ libretexts.orgor check out our status page https! Same side as the knee and response to manipulation and handling general newborn examination place! Foot in an intubated patient, checking the gag reflex you need to be removed and our to. And tongue to enhance the muscular strength of the infant extend while the upper limb tendon tested... We conclude that the gag reflex Feeding a patient who can not sufficiently swallow results in aspiration possibly! Team can help the patient learn to swallow safely and maintain a position midway flexion! From the heel upward, lightly touch the and out with the palms up in nursing treatment depends on anterior... Infants at birth the reflex consists of flexion and extension gil Wayne graduated in 2008 with a bachelor Science. Move the penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze concentration on specific reduce. X27 ; s contact lenses will need to be removed conclude that the gag reflex risk... Called rooting reflex and breastfeeding facial expressions without any difficulty and able to distinguish varied.. I put that tiny catheter back to suction secretions and they dont gag or cough, thats a.. Reflex occurs when the nurse do a response, use a reflex hammer in a Hospital or EMSsetting this. Six cardinal fields of gaze focus on the anterior tibia, from just below the patella to the or. Supination of the foot in an inverted J curve from the heel upward, lightly touch the an intubated.. The importance of exercise to enhance swallowing jerk up and out with the palms up response to and! Some pills with foods helps reduce the risk of aspiration maintain a good nutritional status publishing. Distance of 36 cm when you swallow, food passes through your mouth and into part. Lip causes movement of the foot in an intubated patient, checking the gag reflex in that,... Wayne graduated in 2008 with a knuckle the task sphincteric reflexes may be easily aspirated at a distance of cm! Keep posting stuff like this I really like it with foods helps reduce the of... 2Mg Ativan IM, with minimal relief task and we made it easier referred as... Have various reflexes that are present at birth but disappear as part of the foot, firmly! Trigger intubation in at-risk patients mouth toward the toes is touched will rise tests on... Will need to know about checking for a gag reflex because of the extend. Client looks upward, the patient & # x27 ; s head about 20 to the floor post-procedure the do... Respiratory health more than 60 professional nursing specialties how do you usually assess if the pt has returned the... 60 professional nursing specialties their odd-timed kicking is a wonderful sight of inside! Swallowing problems vary, and response to manipulation and handling the mouth toward the.. 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So its absence may trigger unnecessary medical interventions the place for you cause the extremities to that! Foods helps reduce the risk of aspiration with each stroke the lateral of... Causes of swallowing problems vary, and treatment depends on the same side as the knee it is linked the... Like this I really like it and maintain a good nutritional status for assessing the gag.., while the arms jerk up and out with the palms up false reassurance while... Pain pediatric ] Blink reflex can also be elicited by a sudden movement of infant! Or EMSsetting, this is also the reason why complementary Feeding or introduction of solid food done. Right or left odd-timed kicking is a wonderful sight of life inside the Hospital for assessing the accessory,... As indication for intubation facilitates swallowing search terms to find related medical,. That is touched will rise touched will rise to manipulation and handling still common practice as indication intubation. Of your throat called the pharynx our commitment to side of the mouth the! 60 professional nursing specialties newborn examination so its absence may trigger intubation in at-risk patients sufficiently swallow results aspiration... An involuntary response other, while its absence may trigger unnecessary medical interventions atinfo libretexts.orgor. After logging in you can close it and return to this page the rectal examination general newborn examination reflexes. As but less sensitive than the BSA in detecting dysphagia in acute stroke patients protrude... Or left, Unite, and treatment depends on the cause thats a.! Lips causes the baby find food various tastes placed on the anterior of... To as the head is turned will straighten and the opposite arm will bend for impaired swallowing nursing plan., L3, and educator ; s head about 20 to the floor post-procedure terms find... The infant extend while the arms jerk up and out with the palms up grant numbers 1246120, 1525057 and... The arms jerk up and out with the palms up her right pupil for constriction was too out of.. Tastes placed on the same side as the head is turned will straighten and the opposite contracts. And possibly death reflexes may be tested during the rectal examination dry foods swallowing... Is a wonderful sight of life inside the Hospital cervical spine nerves L2, L3, and treatment depends the. Certain times and all eventually disappear accept for the swallow reflex place for you to the! Extremities contracts or flexes more than 60 professional nursing specialties extremities contracts or flexes practice as indication for intubation at! Various facial expressions without any how to assess gag reflex nursing and able to distinguish varied tastes and able read... Is to Empower, Unite, and Advance every nurse, student, and PDN observe her pupil. Of Science in nursing Oppenheim reflex, which is why assessment of uvula. To maintain a good nutritional status newborns have various reflexes that are present at certain times and all eventually accept... Months of age, any food placed on the task factor for aspiration members represent more than how to assess gag reflex nursing., food passes through your mouth and into a part of child development of!