Aphagia is defined as which of the following?

• A. Inability to Speak
• B. Difficulty swallowing
• C. Nasal congestion
• D. Loss of Gag reflex (inability to swallow)

Answer: (D)

Aphagia is the inability to swallow. This occurs when the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing aren’t working properly, which can happen after a stroke, brain injury, or other neurological issues. The gag reflex is a protective response that helps coordinate swallowing and prevent choking; when this reflex is lost or impaired, swallowing becomes unsafe or impossible. That connection is why the option noting inability to swallow, with loss of the gag reflex, best matches what aphagia describes. The other options describe speaking problems (not swallowing), nasal congestion, or a reflex issue that doesn’t by itself define aphagia.