NREMT Paramedic Practice

What does ataxia indicate in a patient?

1. Muscle failure

2. Failure of muscle coordination

3. Loss of balance

4. Weakness in limbs

The correct answer is: Failure of muscle coordination

Ataxia refers specifically to a lack of coordination in voluntary muscle movements, which can affect a person's gait, posture, and general movement. It often results from neurological disorders that impact the cerebellum or pathways involved in motor control, leading to unsteady movements or difficulties in coordinating actions. In the context of the other choices, muscle failure would imply a total inability to function, while loss of balance primarily focuses on stability rather than coordination of movements. Weakness in limbs suggests a decrease in muscular strength, which is a different condition. Thus, identifying ataxia as failure of muscle coordination accurately reflects its clinical significance and manifestation in a patient.