Cranial Nerves
This cranial nerve is primarily responsible for facial sensation and mastication.
What is CN V, the trigeminal nerve?
This condition involves impaired language, rather than simply impaired speech-motor control.
What is aphasia?
This condition involves a temporary episode of focal neurological symptoms caused by transient ischemia without permanent infarction.
What is a TIA?
CN VII controls this important facial function and also carries taste information from the anterior tongue.
What is facial expression and anterior taste?
A person can see an object but cannot recognize what the object is. What impairment is this?
What is visual agnosia?
This neurological condition is associated with dopamine deficiency, resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and freezing.
What is Parkinson disease?
One cranial nerve provides facial sensation and mastication, while another controls facial expression and anterior tongue taste. Identify both.
CN V = trigeminal; CN VII = facial.
A patient continues brushing their teeth even after the therapist tells them to stop and move to another task. What is this behavior called?
What is perseveration?
One condition primarily involves CNS demyelination, while the other involves peripheral demyelination. Identify them.
MS = CNS demyelination; Guillain-Barré syndrome = PNS demyelination.
A patient has severe motor paralysis but remains conscious and cognitively aware. Why is communication access especially important?
This describes locked-in syndrome, where communication access is essential for autonomy, consent, AAC, and dignity.
A client has normal muscle strength and can understand the therapist's instructions, but when asked to demonstrate how to use a toothbrush, they cannot correctly organize the movements even though they used to perform the task independently. What neurological impairment is most likely?
Apraxia — specifically, difficulty with motor planning/sequencing of a learned task despite adequate basic strength.
After a stroke, a patient has difficulty with upper-extremity function, facial movement/sensation, and language. Which artery is particularly relevant?
What is the middle cerebral artery (MCA)
A patient develops difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, impaired tongue movement, and difficulty turning their head. Which cranial nerves should you consider?
CN IX, X, XI, and XII. These relate to swallowing, voice, shoulder shrug/head turning, and tongue movement.
A patient has adequate strength and can physically perform a familiar ADL, but cannot correctly organize the motor actions needed to complete it. What impairment should you consider?
Apraxia — a problem with skilled motor planning/execution that isn't explained simply by weakness. The appropriate cueing strategy differs from what you'd use for neglect or agnosia.
An OT wants to maximize recovery after neurological injury. The treatment involves repeated practice of meaningful tasks that are specific to the client's goals. What neurological principle supports this approach?
Neuroplasticity. Repetition, task specificity, and meaningful practice can support nervous-system adaptation and recovery.