American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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What is a common symptom of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Loss of projection
Hoarseness
Easy voice fatigue
Increased vocal range

The correct answer is: Hoarseness

Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve often leads to hoarseness, which is a primary clinical manifestation. This nerve is crucial for the function of the laryngeal muscles, particularly those responsible for vocal cord movement. Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can result in paralysis or weakness of these muscles, leading to an inability to properly close the vocal cords during phonation. As a result, a person with a recurrent laryngeal nerve injury may experience a raspy or strained voice, making hoarseness a significant symptom. This condition is frequently seen in surgical procedures involving the neck, such as thyroid surgery, where the nerve may be inadvertently injured. Hoarseness can also contribute to difficulties with projecting one's voice, which aligns with clinical observations that those with this injury often strain to be heard.