Which term describes the inability to perform skilled movements despite intact sensation?

Which term describes the inability to perform skilled movements despite intact sensation?

• A. Loss of sensation
• B. Involuntary movements
• C. The inability to perform skilled movements despite intact sensation
• D. Slowed movement

Answer: (C)

The term being tested is apraxia. Apraxia is a motor planning disorder where a person cannot perform skilled, learned movements despite having intact sensation and adequate muscle strength. In other words, the brain’s ability to plan and sequence the movement is impaired, so tasks like using a tool, buttoning a shirt, or imitating a gesture can’t be carried out even though touch, pain, and basic movement feel are normal. This stands in contrast to loss of sensation, which is a sensory deficit, or slowed movement (bradykinesia), which is a reduction in the speed of movement rather than a planning issue. Involuntary movements describe unwanted, automatic movements (like tremor or chorea) rather than a failure to plan and execute a voluntary, learned action.

The term being tested is apraxia. Apraxia is a motor planning disorder where a person cannot perform skilled, learned movements despite having intact sensation and adequate muscle strength. In other words, the brain’s ability to plan and sequence the movement is impaired, so tasks like using a tool, buttoning a shirt, or imitating a gesture can’t be carried out even though touch, pain, and basic movement feel are normal.

This stands in contrast to loss of sensation, which is a sensory deficit, or slowed movement (bradykinesia), which is a reduction in the speed of movement rather than a planning issue. Involuntary movements describe unwanted, automatic movements (like tremor or chorea) rather than a failure to plan and execute a voluntary, learned action.