Question

a neuropsychologist is describing several patients at a case conference. He says John cannot name common objects, such as shoes, shorts, and screwdrivers. Jill does not know how to use a screwdriver. What terms will he use to describe John and Jill's difficulties

Answer 1

John's difficulty naming common objects could be described as anomia, a type of agnosia, while Jill's problem with using tools signifies a praxis issue, indicative of motor planning deficits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The neuropsychologist might use specific terms to describe the difficulties that John and Jill are experiencing. John's inability to name common objects like shoes, shorts, and screwdrivers could be referred to as a form of agnosia, more specifically, anomia, which is a deficit in naming objects. Anomia is often associated with damage to the temporal lobe, which is crucial for object recognition and association with their names (N impairment). On the other hand, Jill's difficulty in knowing how to use a screwdriver represents a problem with praxis, which is the ability to perform purposeful movements and sequence actions, pointing to potential issues with motor planning often linked to the frontal lobe. This distinction between noun and verb usage and understanding in relation to brain areas signifies a dissociation referred to as V-N dissociation.