What are two unique clinical findings of the Oral preparatory phase?

• A. Abnormal prehension, dropping food
• B. Drooling, coughing
• C. Gulping, gagging
• D. Regurgitation, lip licking

Answer: (A)

In the oral preparatory phase, the swallowing process is voluntary and centers on getting food into the mouth, chewing, and forming a cohesive bolus that can be safely moved toward swallowing. The two unique clinical findings here reflect problems with that initial intake and bolus formation: abnormal prehension, meaning trouble bringing food into the mouth or guiding it to the tongue, and dropping food, where the bolus slips out of the mouth due to inadequate lip closure or tongue control. These signs specifically show difficulty with handling and preparing the bolus in the mouth before swallowing begins.

Other signs tend to point to different parts of the swallow process. Drooling can indicate broader saliva management issues; coughing suggests material entering the airway; gulping or gagging relates more to swallow initiation or protective responses in later phases; regurgitation or lip licking may reflect esophageal issues or sensory/behavioral factors, not the core mouth-to-bolus preparation.