Cognitive Communication Test 2 Practice

The role of the Speech-Language Pathologist in medication management is about understanding how medicines can affect communication and swallowing and working with the medical team to keep therapy safe and effective. SLPs do not prescribe medications; prescribing is the physician’s job. Instead, they educate patients and families about potential medication effects on speech, language, cognition, and swallowing, such as drowsiness, dry mouth, slowed swallow reflex, or voice changes that could impact therapy goals. They monitor for changes in swallowing safety or communication performance when a new medication is started or a dose changes, and they adapt therapy plans and strategies accordingly. They collaborate with doctors, pharmacists, and caregivers to coordinate care, ensuring that medication use supports, rather than hinders, communication and swallowing outcomes. If side effects interfere with safety or participation in therapy, the SLP can advocate for appropriate medical review, but the actual prescribing is done by the physician.