Word parts
What it means
A problem in the brain's planning of movement. A person may be unable to use a comb, button a shirt or follow the command "wave goodbye," though the muscles work and they understand the request. It can follow a stroke or head injury and occurs in dementia. In apraxia of speech, the person knows what they want to say but cannot plan the mouth movements to say it.
For the nurse
Break tasks into small steps, show rather than tell, and give the client time. Involve occupational and speech therapy.
At a glance
| Spanish | apraxia |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
ataxia
Loss of control and coordination of body movements, so that movements are clumsy and unsteady.
Related terms
a-
A word beginning that means without, not or absence of; written an- before a vowel.
occupational therapist
A health professional who helps people do the everyday tasks of living and working.
aphasia
Loss or impairment of the ability to understand or use language, from damage to the brain.
stroke
Sudden damage to part of the brain because its blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel in it bursts.