Which aphasia presents with nonfluent speech and relatively preserved comprehension?

• A. Global aphasia
• B. Broca's aphasia
• C. Wernicke's aphasia
• D. Dysarthria

Answer: (B)

Nonfluent, effortful speech with relatively preserved comprehension is characteristic of Broca's aphasia. This pattern happens when damage to the left frontal language area (Broca’s region) disrupts speech production but leaves understanding largely intact. Speech tends to be short, telegraphic, and labored, with grammar and word-finding difficulties, while the person can usually follow simple instructions and understand basic meaning. Repetition is often impaired as well because producing language is the challenged skill in this type.

In this scenario, the spared comprehension helps distinguish it from other aphasias: global aphasia involves severe deficits in both expression and comprehension across all modalities; Wernicke's aphasia produces fluent but nonsensical speech with poor comprehension; dysarthria is a motor speech disorder where speech is slurred or distorted, with language abilities typically intact.