Final answer:
The statement about athetosis is false; it describes slow, involuntary movements, not 'quick, dance-like' ones. Athetosis is linked to CNS disorders, whereas ataxia is linked to cerebellum damage and affects voluntary movements and coordination. Tests for motor function involve rapid, alternating movements and speech exercises.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term athetosis does not describe 'quick, dance-like movements of the hands and/or feet.' Instead, it refers to a condition characterized by slow, involuntary, convoluted, writhing movements of the fingers, hands, toes, and feet, often accompanied by larger movements of the arms or legs. Athetosis is a symptom of various central nervous system disorders, particularly those that affect the corpus striatum of the brain. This movement disorder is often associated with cerebral palsy and other conditions such as stroke or brain injury.
In contrast to athetosis, the term 'ataxia' is used to describe a lack of muscle control during voluntary movements. Unlike athetosis, ataxia can be a result of damage to a part of the brain called the cerebellum, which is necessary for motor coordination. Ataxia leads to disturbances in gait and manual dexterity, often resulting in clumsiness and imprecision in movements.
Testing for disturbances in movement and coordination involves observing for rapid, alternating movements. Tests may include the patient touching each finger to their thumb or sliding their heel down their shin, as well as speaking exercises like repeating 'lah-kah-pah.' These tests aim to evaluate the cerebellum's role in planning and coordinating motor movements, which are essential for normal voluntary physical activities and speech.