Organic mental disorders: ideomotor apraxia: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Organic mental disorders: ideomotor apraxia

Sample item

After a left parietal infarct, a man with full strength cannot pretend to comb his hair when asked, but combs it normally while getting dressed. He knows what a comb is for and can describe the sequence. Which disorder is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ideomotor apraxia

Ideomotor apraxia is a failure to carry out a learned movement on command, with preserved spontaneous use, and is due to left parietal or callosal lesions. Ideational apraxia is a failure to carry out a sequence of acts with an object, which implies loss of the plan.

Option by option

  • A. Ideomotor apraxia (correct)

    Correct. Failure on command with preserved automatic use is ideomotor apraxia.

  • B. Constructional apraxia

    Constructional apraxia is difficulty copying or building figures.

  • C. Ideational apraxia

    Ideational apraxia involves failure to sequence multi-step tasks and misuse of objects.

  • D. Dressing apraxia

    Dressing apraxia is difficulty orienting clothes to the body, typically from a right parietal lesion.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Ideomotor apraxia. Ideomotor apraxia is a failure to carry out a learned movement on command, with preserved spontaneous use, and is due to left parietal or callosal lesions.

Why is "Constructional apraxia" not the answer?

Constructional apraxia is difficulty copying or building figures.

Why is "Ideational apraxia" not the answer?

Ideational apraxia involves failure to sequence multi-step tasks and misuse of objects.

Why is "Dressing apraxia" not the answer?

Dressing apraxia is difficulty orienting clothes to the body, typically from a right parietal lesion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Organic mental disorders: ideomotor apraxia in Psychiatry. Ideational apraxia is a failure to carry out a sequence of acts with an object, which implies loss of the plan.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Organic mental disorders: ideomotor apraxia?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.