Self-Study: The Clinical Swallow Eval and Cranial Nerve Review (1722)

Patheous Health Imaging and Patheous Health Education officially closes on March 31, 2026. Any learner who satisfactorily completes a self-study course by midnight EST on March 31st, with the intention to earn ASHA CEUs, will be reported to the ASHA CE Registry. It is our understanding that educational content will still be available after March 31st until August 1st. Self-study courses completed after March 31st will not be reported to the ASHA CE Registry. Learners will obtain a certificate of completion verifying the number of Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned. Documentation should be kept and tracked by the learner.

Course Description

The clinical swallow examination (CSE) is an essential tool utilized by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) across all health settings. Lack of standardization and understanding of clinical findings may cause confusion when making evidence-based recommendations, referrals, and therapeutic plans of care. This course will provide an extensive overview of the utility and limitations of the CSE, essential components for completing a thorough evaluation, and indications for instrumental swallow studies. An extensive review of swallowing-related cranial nerves and their expected impact from various neurologic processes will be provided. Attendees will be able to identify the motor and sensory innervations of each cranial nerve, learn how to test each, and interpret findings as they relate to swallowing abilities. Use of video demonstration and case examples will foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter and allow attendees to integrate findings using critical thinking skills.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the utility, limitations, and essential components of the clinical swallow eval. 
  • Identify the motor and sensory innervations of swallowing -related cranial nerves and interpret findings seen on a cranial nerve exam.
  • List indications for instrumental swallow assessment and use critical thinking in provided case examples.


Agenda

  • 00:00 Part 1: Utility and Limitations of CSE, Components of a Thorough CSE
  • 00:20  Part 1: Required Reading 
  • 00:46  Part 2: Clinical Swallow Evaluation Special Considerations and Predictors of Aspiration Pneumonia
  • 01:05  Part 2: Required Reading 
  • 01:53  Part 3: Cranial Nerve and Swallowing Neuroregulation Review
  • 02:06  Part 4: Swallow-Related Cranial Nerve Deep Dive  
  • 02:35  Part 5: Examples and Written Documentation
  • 03:00  Post Test (80% accuracy required to receive ASHA CEUs) 


Webinar Notice

Successful participation in this course includes completion of the post-test with a score of 80% or higher, then participants will automatically receive a course completion certificate.

This course is offered for 3.0 Professional Development Hours. 

Refund Policy

No refunds for self-study courses. 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 877-390-1887.

Instructor

Candice Devlin, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Rory O’Bryan, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S Candice Devlin and Rory O’Bryan

Candice Devlin, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a Senior Speech Pathologist and Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, NC. She also serves as a fee basis employee at the Durham VA Medical Center. In her 12 years of practice, her primary areas of interest include dysphagia in the tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patient populations, as well as neurogenic dysphagia. She has been instrumental in developing and bringing Respiratory Muscle Training, In-Line Passy-Muir Valve, and IDDSI programs to Duke Regional Hospital, as well as establishing and leading a multi-disciplinary tracheostomy team. Ms. Devlin earned her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University. Outside of work, Candice enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys (ages 5 and 2), live music, and traveling with friends. Rory O’Bryan, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S has worked as medical Speech-Language Pathologists at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, NC for since 2011, evaluating and treating adults in the acute care and acute rehabilitation settings. She also serves as a fee basis employee at the Durham VA Medical Center. Rory has been instrumental in developing and bringing Respiratory Muscle Training, IDDSI, and the multi-disciplinary tracheostomy team to Duke Regional Hospital. She also currently serves as the student coordinator for graduate student clinicians for her hospital. Ms. O’Bryan earned her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of North Carolina. Outside of work, Rory enjoys spending time with her family, exercising outdoors, and traveling with friends. Disclosures: Ms. Devlin and Ms. O’Bryan have the following financial relationships: they are paid employees of Duke Regional Hospital and receive payment for this webinar from Patheous Health. Ms. Devlin and Ms. O’Bryan have no non-financial relationships to disclose.