Final answer:
The true statement about patients with cerebral palsy is that they are not necessarily mentally disabled, highlighting that cerebral palsy mainly affects motor function and not inherently cognitive abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is true regarding patients with cerebral palsy is C) Patients with cerebral palsy are not necessarily mentally disabled. Juxtaposing the medical understanding of cerebral palsy and mental disability, we recognize that cerebral palsy primarily affects motor functions due to injury to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. The wide range of symptoms can include weak muscles and troubles with walking and talking, but it does not inherently include mental disability. Mental disability, on the other hand, pertains to significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive skills. It’s essential to dispel myths and understand that individuals with cerebral palsy have varying levels of cognitive abilities and should not be universally considered mentally disabled. They can make decisions regarding their healthcare, hear well unless they have an unrelated hearing issue, and are not necessarily susceptible to seizures, though there can be a higher prevalence of seizures among patients with cerebral palsy.