Which statement about ataxia is true?

• A. Tremor with purposeful movement
• B. Unsteady gait during walking
• C. Impaired sensation to vibration
• D. Loss of full control of bodily movements

Answer: (D)

Incoordination of voluntary movements is what ataxia means. It often comes from cerebellar dysfunction and shows up as clumsy, imprecise actions and balance problems. The statement that best fits this concept is that ataxia involves a loss of full control of bodily movements, capturing the overall lack of smooth, coordinated motion. You may see an unsteady gait as a common sign, but that describes one manifestation rather than the entire problem. Tremor during purposeful movement can occur with cerebellar issues, but it isn’t the defining feature of ataxia. Impaired vibration sensation is a sensory deficit and doesn’t reflect the coordination failure at the core of ataxia.