NREMT Paramedic Practice

What is a common presentation of both Korsakoff's psychosis and Wernicke's encephalopathy?

1. Severe paranoia

2. Ataxia

3. Peripheral neuropathy

4. Severe dehydration

The correct answer is: Ataxia

The correct choice highlights ataxia as a common presentation of both Korsakoff's psychosis and Wernicke's encephalopathy. Ataxia refers to a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, which can manifest as unsteady gait, difficulty with balance, and clumsiness. This condition is linked to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, leading to nerve and brain damage. In Wernicke's encephalopathy, ataxia is a hallmark symptom, often accompanied by confusion and ophthalmoplegia (eye movement abnormalities). Korsakoff's psychosis, which can develop as a progression from Wernicke's encephalopathy, also exhibits ataxia, despite primarily affecting memory and cognition. Thus, the presence of ataxia in both conditions reflects the neurological impairment that results from thiamine deficiency and its impact on motor function. The other choices do not consistently reflect symptoms seen in both conditions. Severe paranoia is more characteristic of certain psychiatric disorders rather than directly linked to these disorders. Peripheral neuropathy, while it can be a result of vitamin deficiencies, is not specifically a defining symptom in both conditions. Severe dehydration is not directly related to either of these syndromes, although it can be a concern