Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

A positive gag reflex indicates what?

1. Pharyngeal muscles are constricting

2. Presence of food in the throat

3. Lack of neurological response

4. Difficulty swallowing

The correct answer is: Pharyngeal muscles are constricting

A positive gag reflex indicates that the pharyngeal muscles are functioning properly and are able to constrict when stimulated. This reflex is an important protective mechanism that helps prevent aspiration by triggering a response in the muscles of the throat to help clear any potential obstructions, like food or foreign objects. The presence of this reflex suggests intact neural pathways involved in this motor response, particularly involving the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. The other options do not accurately represent the significance of a positive gag reflex. While the presence of food in the throat can lead to gagging, the reflex itself does not indicate that food is present; rather, it demonstrates that the muscles are working correctly. A lack of neurological response would indicate a diminished or absent gag reflex, not a positive one. Lastly, difficulty swallowing is a separate issue that can occur due to various conditions but is not directly indicated by the presence of a positive gag reflex.