Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

What technique is used to assess for dysarthria?

1. Ask the patient to draw a shape

2. Ask the patient to repeat a phrase

3. Ask the patient to write down a sentence

4. Ask the patient to sing a song

The correct answer is: Ask the patient to repeat a phrase

Evaluating for dysarthria involves assessing the clarity and intelligibility of a person’s speech. Asking the patient to repeat a phrase is particularly effective because it gives the clinician insight into the patient's articulation, speech rhythm, and overall ability to produce sounds correctly. Dysarthria is characterized by slurred or slowed speech due to muscle control issues, often resulting from neurological conditions. By having the patient repeat a phrase, you can directly observe the patient's speech patterns and identify any difficulties in pronunciation or the fluidity of speech, which are key indicators of dysarthria. The other techniques listed do not directly assess the specific features of speech associated with dysarthria. Drawing a shape or writing down a sentence may help evaluate cognitive or motor skills but do not provide information on the person’s speech production. Singing a song may not effectively elicit the same type of evaluative response, as music engages different neurological pathways compared to spoken language.