Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

A patient experiencing uncontrollable muscle movements and spasms around the mouth is likely suffering from?

1. Parkinson's disease

2. Tardive dyskinesia

3. Multiple sclerosis

4. Akathisia

The correct answer is: Tardive dyskinesia

The presence of uncontrollable muscle movements and spasms around the mouth is characteristic of tardive dyskinesia, a condition typically caused by long-term use of certain medications, especially antipsychotics. This neurological disorder manifests through repetitive, involuntary movements that can affect various parts of the body, but oral and facial movements are particularly common. Tardive dyskinesia often involves lip smacking, chewing motions, and grimacing. These symptoms occur after prolonged exposure to dopamine-receptor antagonists and signify a type of neurological dysregulation. Understanding this condition is crucial in the context of hospice and palliative care, as it directly affects the quality of life and may require adjustments to treatment to mitigate symptoms. Other conditions listed, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and akathisia, involve different underlying mechanisms and symptomatology, which do not align as closely with uncontrollable mouth spasms. Parkinson’s disease primarily involves tremor and rigidity; multiple sclerosis is more associated with coordination and motor function impairment, and akathisia relates to a state of inner restlessness rather than involuntary movements, hence these descriptors do not fit the situation as precisely as tardive dyskinesia does.