PAS Scale
Cranial Nerves
Dysphagia Diets
Postures/Maneuvers
Evaluation & Screening
100

Material remains above the vocal fold and is ejected

PAS 2 or false penetration 

100

This cranial nerve provides innervation to all muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus

Hypoglossal or CN XII

100

IDDSI rating of 2

mildly thick or nectar thick

100

This posture is used to improve A-P transit and oral containment.

Head back posture


100

Reasons to palpate the thyroid prominence

-assess timing and coordination, amount of elevation, and number of swallows per bolus 

200

Material contacts the vocal folds, but is not ejected

PAS 5, deep penetration 

200
This cranial nerve provides sensory info to the face and anterior 2/3 of the tongue, and motor info to the muscles of mastication, VP closure, and hyolaryngeal movement.

Trigeminal Nerve or CN V

200

IDDSI rating of 5

minced and moist 

200

This posture is used to increase tongue base retraction and pharyngeal clearance.

Effortful swallow

200

4 ways to fail the 3 oz water test

1. can't complete

2. coughs

3. chokes

4. wet voice 

300

Material passes below the vocal folds, with no effort to eject

PAS 8 or silent aspiration

300

This cranial nerve provides sensory taste info to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and motor info for hyolaryngeal elevation and facial expression.

Facial or CN VII

300

IDDSI rating of 7

includes both Regular and Easy to chew 

300

This posture is used to reduce spillage to the pharynx

Chin Tuck/Down posture
300

Clincial symptoms that may occur after a ACDF

multiple swallows, effortful swallows, reduced hyolaryngeal movement, globus, and immediate coughing 

400

Material contacts the vocal folds but is ejected

PAS 4 or flash deep penetration 

400

This cranial nerve provides tactile sensation for aspiration and airway clearance.

RLN of the Vagus/CN X

400

IDDSI rating of 4

pureed food or Extremely thick liquid

400

The maneuver involves holding the tongue between the teeth while swallowing.

Masako

400

3 symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia that are not concerning for aspiration

absent/delay swallow initiation, globus, gagging, reduced pharyngeal movement, multiple swallows, audible swallows 

500

Material passes below the vocal folds but is ejected

PAS 6 or flash aspiration 

500

This cranial nerve provides tactile sensation for the tongue base, laryngeal closure, true and false vocal folds, pyriform sinuses and posterior pharyngeal wall. 

SLN of Vagus nerve (CN X)
500

IDDSI rating of 3

Liquidised Food, Moderately thick liquid or Honey Thick 

500

Name 2 exercises that increase muscle contraction in suprahyoid region, increase laryngeal vestibule closure and UES opening.

Mendelsohn and Shaker

500

3 symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia that are concerning for aspiration

wet voice/change in vocal quality,

throat clearing, increase in respiratory rate, oxygen desaturation, cyanosis or cough 

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