Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Dysphagia in a 75-year-old male patient could be caused by all except which condition?

1. GERD

2. Normal aging

3. Barrett's esophagus

4. Parkinson's disease

The correct answer is: Normal aging

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can indeed be related to various medical conditions and physiological changes. Normal aging is typically associated with some decline in functional abilities, but it is not directly classified as a pathological cause of dysphagia on its own. While older adults may experience some changes in swallowing function due to muscle atrophy or slower reflexes, these changes are often not severe enough to be categorized as dysphagia unless there are additional medical conditions at play. In contrast, conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and Parkinson's disease are directly associated with dysphagia. GERD can lead to esophageal irritation and narrowing, making swallowing difficult. Barrett's esophagus can cause dysphagia due to structural changes in the esophagus, and Parkinson's disease affects the motor control necessary for effective swallowing. Thus, normal aging does not directly cause dysphagia in the same manner as the other mentioned conditions, aligning with the rationale behind identifying it as the exception.