Ch 10- Assessment and Treatment of Feeding

At what age range is it important to feed a baby in a more upright position and no longer in sidelying?

• 6-12 months

• 4-6 months

• 12-18 months

• Birth to 3 months

Answer explanation

Once a baby reaches the age of 4 to 6 months (when anatomy changes are expected such as elongation through the neck) it is important to feed a baby in a more upright position, and sidelying position is no longer recommended.

Marge is a 2-year-old girl who does not sit and eat at mealtimes but rather brings food to many rooms, eats a few bites, and drops it. Her parents report that she is a “fussy eater.” Marge is significantly below weight for her age. She does not have any oral motor structure abnormalities, but eats only certain foods with the same texture. Which intervention strategy would be best to address the environmental context?

• Prolong mealtime and eliminate all snacks.

• Provide high caloric snacks and meals at the table throughout the day.

• Allow Marge to eat whenever and wherever she wants in the house.

• Require Marge eat everything on her plate and at snack.

Answer explanation

Because Marge is a fussy eater and underweight it is probable that she is not getting adequate calories. Providing high-calorie foods will help. Marge is currently in charge of all aspects of her feeding. She may be distracted by toys and other more appealing activities, so providing all her meals and snacks at the table may help. Allowing her to snack as usual will make the changes easier to implement. Finally, it may help to make the experience more enjoyable.

Which type of food is the most difficult to swallow?

• Raw vegetables

• Strained fruit

• Chopped meat

• Mashed vegetables

Answer explanation

Box 10 - 3 summarizes the progression of food texture from easiest to most difficult.

What is the next food texture after “soft and bite sized pieces of meltable and soft-solid foods”?

• Regular

• Liquidized

• Pureed

• Minced and Moist

Answer explanation

See Box 10 – 3 which lists the levels of food texture for dysphagia management as progressing from; Liquidized, pureed, minced and moist, soft and bite sized small pieces, and regular.

When conducting an initial feeding evaluation, the therapist asks the caregiver to bring the utensils, food, and highchair that they typically use. Which statement best reflects the therapist’s reasoning for this?

• Using the child’s actual materials will give the therapist an accurate picture.

• The therapist wants to be sensitive to the child’s culture.

• The center has limited funds for food and materials.

• The therapist would like to know if the caregiver can follow directions.

Answer explanation

Asking caregivers to bring in the materials used in feeding the child helps the therapist understand the context more clearly.