Damage to Wernicke's area of the brain may cause which of the following problems?
Difficulty speaking with proper grammar.
Inability to form words.
Inability to understand what others are saying.
Paralysis of the muscles used for speech.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Difficulty speaking with proper grammar while maintaining some ability to communicate is more characteristic of Broca's aphasia, which involves the motor speech area. Patients with Broca's damage can understand language but struggle to produce the mechanical sounds and complex grammatical structures. Wernicke's area, conversely, is located in the temporal lobe and focuses on the linguistic processing and comprehension of language rather than the motor output or grammatical construction of spoken sentences.
Choice B rationale
The inability to form words is known as expressive aphasia and is caused by damage to Broca's area in the frontal lobe. This area coordinates the muscles of the mouth and larynx to produce speech. A person with an injury here knows what they want to say but cannot physically execute the words. Wernicke's area damage results in a different problem where words can be formed easily, but they lack any coherent meaning or relevance to the conversation.
Choice C rationale
Wernicke's area is the primary region for language comprehension. Damage here results in receptive aphasia, where the patient can hear words but cannot grasp their meaning, much like hearing a foreign language. They may speak fluently and with normal rhythm, but the sentences are often nonsensical or contain "word salad.”. This occurs because the brain's ability to decode the symbolic meaning of auditory or written language has been fundamentally compromised by the injury.
Choice D rationale
Paralysis of the muscles used for speech is a motor deficit often caused by damage to the motor cortex or the cranial nerves, such as the hypoglossal or facial nerves. This is a physical inability to move the tongue or lips rather than a cognitive language disorder. Wernicke's area is a purely associative and cognitive region; it does not control the actual muscles. Therefore, a patient with Wernicke's aphasia usually has no physical paralysis of the speech apparatus.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Stress is considered a modifiable risk factor because individuals can adopt various coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes to reduce its impact on the body. Chronic stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, leading to sustained elevations in cortisol and adrenaline, which increase blood pressure. Through techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, or environmental adjustments, a patient can successfully lower their stress levels and subsequently reduce their risk for hypertension.
Choice B rationale
Obesity is a modifiable risk factor that is directly linked to metabolic and cardiovascular health. Excessive adipose tissue increases systemic vascular resistance and places a higher demand on the heart to pump blood. However, weight can be managed and reduced through a combination of caloric restriction and increased physical energy expenditure. Achieving a healthy Body Mass Index significantly lowers the mechanical and chemical strain on the circulatory system.
Choice C rationale
Gender is a non-modifiable risk factor because it is determined by biological sex chromosomes and the resulting hormonal profile established at birth. Statistical data shows that men often develop hypertension earlier in life compared to premenopausal women, largely due to the protective effects of estrogen. Since an individual cannot change their biological sex or the innate hormonal framework they were born with, it is classified as a permanent risk characteristic.
Choice D rationale
Sodium intake is a modifiable risk factor because it is entirely dependent on an individual's nutritional choices and eating habits. High sodium consumption leads to water retention and increased extracellular fluid volume, which directly raises blood pressure levels. By adhering to a low-sodium diet, such as the DASH diet, patients can effectively decrease the osmotic pressure within their vessels. This behavioral change is a cornerstone of non-pharmacological hypertension management.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Valvular prolapse, most commonly seen in the mitral valve, occurs when the valve leaflets become enlarged or floppy. During ventricular contraction, these leaflets do not close evenly and instead bulge or sink backward into the atrium. This can sometimes allow a small amount of blood to leak backward, known as regurgitation. The condition is often due to myxomatous degeneration of the connective tissue within the valve structures, leading to their abnormal shape.
Choice B rationale
A heart valve that becomes stiff and cannot open properly is the definition of valvular stenosis. In stenosis, the valve leaflets may become calcified or scarred, narrowing the opening and forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the restricted orifice. This is a different mechanical failure than prolapse, where the issue is the failure of the valve to stay closed and supported during the high-pressure phase of the cardiac cycle.
Choice C rationale
The chordae tendineae are the "heart strings" that normally prevent the valve leaflets from prolapsing. In the case of prolapse, these structures may actually be elongated or weakened, failing to provide the necessary tension to hold the leaflets in place. If they were to pull the valve tightly closed, it would represent normal function. Prolapse represents a failure of these supporting structures to maintain the proper position of the valve under pressure.
Choice D rationale
While a blood clot can interfere with heart function, it is not the mechanism for valvular prolapse. A clot on a valve, known as a vegetation in the context of infection or a thrombus, can cause an embolism or obstruction, but it does not cause the structural "floppiness" associated with prolapse. Prolapse is a structural and mechanical deformity of the valve tissue itself rather than a complication caused by an external obstructive mass.
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