What is the expected outcome for a patient with flaccid dysarthria?

What is the expected outcome for a patient with flaccid dysarthria?

• A. Increased muscle tone
• B. Hyperactive reflexes
• C. Weakness in articulation
• D. Tremors during speech

Answer: (C)

Flaccid dysarthria is characterized by weakness and reduced muscle tone in the muscles involved in speech production. This condition arises from damage to the lower motor neurons, leading to hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone, which results in weakness affecting speech articulation. Therefore, the expected outcome for a patient with flaccid dysarthria is indeed weakness in articulation, which may manifest as slurred speech, imprecise consonants, and poor vocal quality due to the lack of strength in the speech muscles. The other options reflect conditions that are not typical of flaccid dysarthria. Increased muscle tone and hyperactive reflexes indicate spasticity and upper motor neuron involvement, which are not characteristics of flaccid dysarthria. Tremors during speech are more associated with other types of dysarthria, such as hypokinetic dysarthria or essential tremor, rather than flaccid dysarthria.

Flaccid dysarthria is characterized by weakness and reduced muscle tone in the muscles involved in speech production. This condition arises from damage to the lower motor neurons, leading to hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone, which results in weakness affecting speech articulation. Therefore, the expected outcome for a patient with flaccid dysarthria is indeed weakness in articulation, which may manifest as slurred speech, imprecise consonants, and poor vocal quality due to the lack of strength in the speech muscles.

The other options reflect conditions that are not typical of flaccid dysarthria. Increased muscle tone and hyperactive reflexes indicate spasticity and upper motor neuron involvement, which are not characteristics of flaccid dysarthria. Tremors during speech are more associated with other types of dysarthria, such as hypokinetic dysarthria or essential tremor, rather than flaccid dysarthria.