Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of dysarthria?

1. Monotone voice

2. Inconsistent volume

3. Inability to articulate sounds

4. Excessive clarity in speech

The correct answer is: Excessive clarity in speech

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury, affecting the muscles used in speech production. It typically presents with a range of characteristics tied to impaired muscle control. One common characteristic associated with dysarthria is a monotone voice, where the individual may lack the variation in pitch and tone necessary for expressive speech. Inconsistent volume is also prevalent; individuals may struggle to control their vocal output, resulting in varying degrees of loudness during speech. The inability to articulate sounds clearly is a hallmark of dysarthria, as the precision required for the distinct production of phonemes may be compromised. On the other hand, excessive clarity in speech is not a characteristic of dysarthria. Instead, individuals with dysarthria often experience slurring or muffled speech due to the impaired coordination and strength of the speech musculature. Therefore, the statement about "excessive clarity in speech" is the correct choice as it does not align with the traits commonly observed in dysarthria.