Which of the following is a compensatory strategy commonly used to improve swallow safety?

• A. Mendelsohn maneuver
• B. Shaker head-lift
• C. Chin-tuck
• D. Effortful swallow

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding compensatory strategies used to keep swallowing safer in real time. The chin-tuck involves tucking the chin toward the chest during a swallow. This small change in head position reorients the pharynx and laryngeal entrance, narrows the airway opening, and helps bring the tongue base and epiglottis into a better position to seal the airway. By doing so, it reduces the chance that material will enter the airway if there’s a delay in swallow trigger or weak airway protection, making each swallow safer without changing the underlying swallow physiology.

The other maneuvers listed are rehabilitative exercises intended to improve the strength or coordination of swallowing over time, rather than providing an immediate safety change during a meal.