Pharynx and tonsils: velopharyngeal incompetence after palatal surgery: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Pharynx and tonsils: velopharyngeal incompetence after palatal surgery

Sample item

A man develops hypernasal speech and fluid regurgitating into the nose when he swallows, three weeks after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for snoring. What is the mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Velopharyngeal incompetence from a shortened or scarred palate

Excess palatal resection or scarring leaves the soft palate unable to seal against the posterior pharyngeal wall, giving hypernasal speech and nasal regurgitation. Nasopharyngeal stenosis, by contrast, produces hyponasal speech and nasal obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Nasopharyngeal stenosis from circumferential scarring

    Stenosis blocks the nasopharynx and causes hyponasal speech, not leakage into the nose.

  • B. Eustachian tube obstruction from adenoid regrowth

    Tubal obstruction causes aural fullness and effusion rather than hypernasality.

  • C. Velopharyngeal incompetence from a shortened or scarred palate (correct)

    Correct. A short or tethered palate cannot close the nasopharyngeal isthmus during speech or swallowing.

  • D. Hypoglossal nerve injury weakening the tongue

    Hypoglossal palsy affects tongue movement and does not cause nasal regurgitation.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Velopharyngeal incompetence from a shortened or scarred palate. Excess palatal resection or scarring leaves the soft palate unable to seal against the posterior pharyngeal wall, giving hypernasal speech and nasal regurgitation.

Why is "Nasopharyngeal stenosis from circumferential scarring" not the answer?

Stenosis blocks the nasopharynx and causes hyponasal speech, not leakage into the nose.

Why is "Eustachian tube obstruction from adenoid regrowth" not the answer?

Tubal obstruction causes aural fullness and effusion rather than hypernasality.

Why is "Hypoglossal nerve injury weakening the tongue" not the answer?

Hypoglossal palsy affects tongue movement and does not cause nasal regurgitation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: velopharyngeal incompetence after palatal surgery in ENT. Nasopharyngeal stenosis, by contrast, produces hyponasal speech and nasal obstruction.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: velopharyngeal incompetence after palatal surgery?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.