What finding might be present during an oral mechanism exam for a patient with apraxia?

• A. Normal chewing and swallowing
• B. Severe facial paralysis
• C. Excessive drooling
• D. Inability to open the mouth

Answer: (A)

During an oral mechanism exam for a patient with apraxia, finding normal chewing and swallowing can be expected. Apraxia, particularly speech apraxia, is primarily a motor planning disorder that affects the production of speech rather than the physical structures or functions involved in chewing and swallowing. Therefore, a person with apraxia can often demonstrate normal oral motor function when it comes to non-speech tasks.

In contrast, severe facial paralysis often suggests a different neurological issue, such as a lower motor neuron lesion, which directly impacts muscle control. Excessive drooling may indicate problems with muscle control or weakness, which could be associated with dysarthria rather than apraxia. Similarly, an inability to open the mouth might suggest mechanical or neurological impairments that are unrelated to the motor planning difficulties characteristic of apraxia. Thus, finding normal chewing and swallowing aligns with the nature of apraxia, as it does not typically impair the anatomical functions involved in these actions.