Complications: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Complications: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

Sample item

Which finding follows bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroidectomy?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Stridor and airway obstruction from adducted cords

Unilateral injury causes hoarseness, while bilateral injury leaves the cords in the paramedian position, causing stridor and acute obstruction that may need reintubation or tracheostomy. The superior laryngeal nerve injury causes voice fatigue. Nerve monitoring helps identification.

Option by option

  • A. Aphonia without airway compromise

    Bilateral injury threatens the airway.

  • B. Hoarseness only

    Hoarseness is typical of unilateral injury.

  • C. Stridor and airway obstruction from adducted cords (correct)

    Correct. Bilateral injury causes obstructive stridor.

  • D. Normal voice and airway

    Both nerves injured cause clear symptoms.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Stridor and airway obstruction from adducted cords. Unilateral injury causes hoarseness, while bilateral injury leaves the cords in the paramedian position, causing stridor and acute obstruction that may need reintubation or tracheostomy.

Why is "Aphonia without airway compromise" not the answer?

Bilateral injury threatens the airway.

Why is "Hoarseness only" not the answer?

Hoarseness is typical of unilateral injury.

Why is "Normal voice and airway" not the answer?

Both nerves injured cause clear symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in Anaesthesia. The superior laryngeal nerve injury causes voice fatigue. Nerve monitoring helps identification.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Complications: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.