Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

A patient with a hemorrhage localized to the left occipital lobe is likely to exhibit which deficit?

1. Ataxic dysarthria

2. Broca's aphasia

3. Tardive dyskinesia

4. Homonymous hemianopia

The correct answer is: Tardive dyskinesia

For a patient with a hemorrhage localized to the left occipital lobe, the most likely deficit to occur would be homonymous hemianopia. The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for visual processing, and a hemorrhage in this area disrupts the visual pathways. Specifically, damage to the left occipital lobe can affect the right visual field due to the crossing of visual information from both eyes at the optic chiasm. As a result, this condition leads to a loss of vision in the right visual field of both eyes, known as right homonymous hemianopia. Other options, such as ataxic dysarthria, Broca's aphasia, and tardive dyskinesia, are associated with different neurological regions or conditions. Ataxic dysarthria is linked to cerebellar damage, affecting motor control of speech rather than visual processing. Broca's aphasia results from damage to the left frontal lobe, particularly in Broca's area, which is responsible for speech production. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder often related to long-term use of antipsychotic medications, again not connected to the occipital lobe's function. Hence, homonymous