Which of the following signs may indicate dysphagia in adults?

• A. Increased appetite
• B. Absence of coughing or throat clearing after meals
• C. Weight gain
• D. Drooling or pocketing

Answer: (D)

Dysphagia in adults often shows up as trouble managing the bolus during and after swallowing. Drooling or pocketing is a clear sign because it means food or saliva isn’t being moved or cleared effectively and is left in the mouth or folds of the cheek. This residue and leakage raise the risk of aspiration and reflect a weakness or discoordination in the oral or pharyngeal phase of swallowing, which is exactly what we’re looking for when identifying dysphagia.

In contrast, increased appetite or weight gain aren’t typical indicators of swallowing trouble; dysphagia more commonly leads to reduced intake and weight loss. Absence of coughing after meals doesn’t rule out dysphagia—some people may swallow without coughing even if there’s a risk of aspiration. So the sign that best points to dysphagia here is drooling or pocketing.