COM Nasal Breathing & Airway Function 3

Question 1

The primary goal of orofacial myofunctional therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is to:

Accepted Answer

Strengthen oropharyngeal and tongue muscles to reduce airway collapsibility during sleep

Answer

Replace CPAP therapy in all moderate-to-severe OSA cases

Answer

Train patients to breathe exclusively through the mouth during sleep

Answer

Increase nasal turbinate size to improve airflow

Question 2

Which orofacial myofunctional pattern in children is most strongly associated with pediatric sleep-disordered breathing?

Accepted Answer

Low tongue rest posture combined with habitual open mouth posture

Answer

Lip incompetence during swallowing only

Answer

Hyperactive gag reflex during feeding

Answer

Tongue thrust during swallowing without a resting posture problem

Question 3

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is incorporated into orofacial myofunctional evaluation primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Screen for excessive daytime sleepiness that may indicate underlying sleep-disordered breathing

Answer

Measure the degree of nasal airway resistance objectively

Answer

Quantify tongue strength during swallowing tasks

Answer

Assess patient motivation and compliance potential for therapy

Question 4

Research has demonstrated that orofacial myofunctional therapy can reduce the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in adults with OSA primarily through:

Accepted Answer

Strengthening dilator muscles of the upper airway to maintain patency during sleep

Answer

Increasing soft palate length and stiffness

Answer

Reducing body mass index through associated lifestyle counseling

Answer

Repositioning the mandible anteriorly to enlarge the retropalatal space

Question 5

Which breathing retraining approach, sometimes integrated into orofacial myofunctional therapy, focuses on reducing breathing volume to normalize carbon dioxide tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Buteyko breathing method

Answer

Incentive spirometry training

Answer

Pursed-lip breathing for exhalation control

Answer

Diaphragmatic breathing with external weight resistance

Question 6

When a child presents with suspected enlarged adenoids causing significant nasal obstruction, the appropriate management sequence is:

Accepted Answer

Refer to an ENT physician to evaluate and treat the adenoid obstruction before initiating OMT

Answer

Begin OMT exercises immediately to promote nasal airway habituation before any referral

Answer

Coordinate with the orthodontist for rapid palatal expansion as the first intervention

Answer

Defer all treatment until the child is at least 12 years old for spontaneous adenoid resolution

Question 7

The relationship between low tongue rest posture and sleep-disordered breathing is best explained by which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

The tongue falls posteriorly into the oropharynx during sleep, narrowing the airway and causing obstruction

Answer

Low tongue posture increases saliva pooling, causing airway irritation and inflammation

Answer

Low tongue posture reduces nasal airflow by blocking the posterior nasal choanae

Answer

Low tongue posture causes the mandible to rotate closed, compressing the hyoid superiorly