Apraxia can be best described as:
Language disturbance
Impaired ability to carry out motor activities
Lack of interest or ability to begin activities
Failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Language disturbance is clinically referred to as aphasia, which involves deficits in the production or comprehension of speech. While aphasia often co-occurs with other cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative diseases, it is a distinct neurological symptom that specifically targets the linguistic processing centers of the brain rather than motor planning.
Choice B reason: Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the loss of the ability to execute or carry out skilled, purposeful movements and gestures, despite having the physical desire and the muscular capacity to do so. This is typically caused by damage to the posterior parietal cortex or the frontal premotor cortex.
Choice C reason: A lack of interest or the inability to initiate goal-directed activities is known as avolition or apathy. These are frequently categorized as negative symptoms in schizophrenia or as features of severe depression. These terms describe a motivational deficit rather than a breakdown in the physical execution of learned motor sequences.
Choice D reason: The failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function is defined as agnosia. In agnosia, the primary sensory organs (eyes, ears, touch) work correctly, but the brain cannot process the information to identify what the object is, whereas apraxia specifically involves the motoric "how-to" of using objects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Loxapine is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic of the dibenzoxazepine class. While it can cause some elevation in prolactin levels, it is not as frequently associated with severe galactorrhea (breast leaking) as certain second-generation antipsychotics like Risperidone, which have a much more profound and sustained effect on the tuberoinfundibular pathway.
Choice B reason: Risperidone is well-known for causing significant hyperprolactinemia. It strongly antagonizes dopamine D2 receptors in the tuberoinfundibular tract. Since dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release, blocking it causes prolactin levels to rise sharply, leading to side effects such as galactorrhea, gynecomastia, and menstrual irregularities in patients, regardless of gender.
Choice C reason: Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is a second-generation antipsychotic that generally has a lower risk of causing sustained hyperprolactinemia compared to Risperidone. While it may cause transient elevations in prolactin, it is more commonly associated with metabolic side effects such as significant weight gain, dyslipidemia, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Choice D reason: Haldol (Haloperidol) is a potent first-generation antipsychotic that certainly can cause increased prolactin. However, in modern clinical practice, when a patient specifically presents with breast leaking on a newer regimen, Risperidone is the most "notorious" culprit among the atypical agents for this specific dose-related endocrine side effect.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by significant weight loss (42 kg is very low for an adult), a preoccupation with food (cooking gourmet meals for others), and attempts to hide the body (wearing layered, loose clothing). These behaviors are classic indicators of the intense fear of weight gain seen in this disorder.
Choice B reason: Eating disorder not otherwise specified (now often categorized as OSFED) is used when a patient's symptoms cause significant distress but do not meet the full, strict criteria for Anorexia or Bulimia. This patient’s dramatic weight loss and specific behavioral patterns fit the primary diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa.
Choice C reason: Major Depressive Disorder can cause weight loss due to anorexia (loss of appetite). However, the specific behaviors of cooking elaborate meals for others while restricting one's own intake and wearing layered clothing to hide weight loss are specific to the psychopathology of an eating disorder rather than depression.
Choice D reason: Bulimia Nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like purging. Patients with bulimia usually maintain a weight that is within or slightly above the normal range. The patient's extremely low weight of 42 kg and restrictive eating habits point toward the restrictive type of Anorexia.
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