PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

If a patient presents with slurred speech, what neurological condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis?

1. Epilepsy

2. Stroke or brain tumor

3. Multiple sclerosis

4. Autism spectrum disorder

The correct answer is: Stroke or brain tumor

Slurred speech, or dysarthria, can be a significant indicator of neurological issues and is particularly prominent in conditions that affect motor control or coordination. The presence of slurred speech often represents underlying problems with the central nervous system, especially affecting areas that control speech production. Stroke or brain tumors can impair the brain regions responsible for speech and language, such as the Broca’s or Wernicke’s areas, leading to dysarthria. A stroke can cause sudden onset slurred speech due to the abrupt loss of blood supply to specific brain areas, while a brain tumor may progressively compress or invade these critical areas, similarly affecting speech. In this context, epilepsy may lead to temporary alterations in speech during a seizure event but does not generally present as persistent slurred speech outside of these episodes. Multiple sclerosis can cause dysarthria as part of more widespread neurological symptoms, but it typically includes additional signs such as fatigue and motor weakness that help differentiate it from acute stroke symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by social communication challenges and would not typically present as slurred speech without other significant behavioral components. Considering these factors, stroke or brain tumors are the primary conditions to prioritize in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with slurred speech.