The nurse expects which assessment finding when a patient with traumatic brain injury experiences ataxia?

• A. Loss of balance
• B. Tremor
• C. Slurred speech
• D. Confusion

Answer: (A)

Ataxia is a sign of cerebellar dysfunction that shows up as impaired coordination, especially in maintaining posture and coordinating movements. Because of this, the most noticeable finding is loss of balance, often with an unsteady or broad-based gait and trouble staying upright. In a traumatic brain injury, cerebellar pathways or proprioceptive integration can be disrupted, so watching for postural instability and sway helps identify ataxia.

Tremor can occur with cerebellar issues, but it isn’t the defining feature of ataxia. Slurred speech and confusion are separate problems—motor speech or cognitive changes—not the core presentation of ataxia itself. So loss of balance best captures what ataxia looks like in an assessment.