A patient sustains a traumatic brain injury that primarily affects the prefrontal cortex. Based on the known functions of this brain region, which of the following impairments would a neurologist most likely observe in this patient?
Show answer and explanation
The answer
Correct answer: A. A diminished capacity for executive functions, including strategic planning, decision-making, and inhibiting inappropriate responses.
Tested concept: Prefrontal cortex
Explanation
The prefrontal cortex is primarily responsible for executive functions, which include higher-order cognitive processes such as planning, decision-making, working memory, impulse control, and goal-directed behavior. Therefore, damage to this area would most directly result in a diminished capacity for these functions. The other options describe impairments associated with different brain regions: interpreting auditory stimuli and comprehending spoken language (Wernicke's area in the temporal lobe), coordinating fine motor skills and maintaining postural stability (cerebellum), and processing somatosensory information (parietal lobe).
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