Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

If a patient shows evidence of cerebellum damage, which symptom might they exhibit?

1. Ataxia

2. Apraxia

3. Aphasia

4. Areflexia

The correct answer is: Ataxia

Ataxia is a hallmark symptom associated with damage to the cerebellum. The cerebellum is crucial for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining posture, and ensuring balance. When the cerebellum is impaired, individuals may struggle with movement control, leading to unsteady and uncoordinated movements, which is precisely what ataxia entails. Symptoms can manifest as a staggering gait, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and challenges in maintaining balance, all of which reflect the cerebellum's role in sensory perception and motor control. The other symptoms listed are not directly related to cerebellar function. Apraxia involves the inability to perform purposeful movements despite having the desire and physical capability, usually associated with damage to the cerebral cortex rather than the cerebellum. Aphasia refers to difficulties with language and communication, commonly resulting from damage to specific areas of the brain responsible for language processing, again not primarily linked to cerebellar damage. Areflexia indicates the absence of reflexes, which is more often related to peripheral nervous system issues or specific spinal cord damage rather than cerebellar pathology. Thus, ataxia stands out as the symptom most indicative of cerebellar dysfunction.