Which features would indicate global aphasia?

Which features would indicate global aphasia?

• A. Severe impairment in all language modalities
• B. Isolated naming impairment
• C. Normal language ability
• D. Fluent speech with good comprehension

Answer: (C)

Global aphasia occurs when extensive damage to the dominant hemisphere language network leaves all language abilities severely impaired. The hallmark is near-complete disruption across speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. In this state, spontaneous speech is typically very limited or nonfunctional, comprehension is severely reduced, and tasks like repetition, naming, and literacy are all markedly poor. This is why the best indicator is severe impairment in all language modalities. Normal language ability would suggest no aphasia or only a very mild deficit, while isolated naming problems point to anomia, not global aphasia. Fluent speech with good comprehension points away from global aphasia and toward other aphasia types or intact language.

Global aphasia occurs when extensive damage to the dominant hemisphere language network leaves all language abilities severely impaired. The hallmark is near-complete disruption across speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. In this state, spontaneous speech is typically very limited or nonfunctional, comprehension is severely reduced, and tasks like repetition, naming, and literacy are all markedly poor.

This is why the best indicator is severe impairment in all language modalities. Normal language ability would suggest no aphasia or only a very mild deficit, while isolated naming problems point to anomia, not global aphasia. Fluent speech with good comprehension points away from global aphasia and toward other aphasia types or intact language.