What type of tremor is she most likely to have?

A 37-year-old insurance agent comes to your office, complaining of trembling hands. She says that for the past 3 months when she tries to use her hands to fix her hair or cook they shake badly. She says she doesn't feel particularly nervous when this occurs but she worries that other people will think she has an anxiety disorder or that she's a drinker. She admits to having some recent fatigue, trouble with vision, and difficulty maintaining bladder control. Her past medical history is remarkable for hypothyroidism. Her mother has lupus and her father is healthy. She has an older brother with type 1 diabetes. She is married and has three children. She denies tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. On examination, when she tries to reach for a pencil to fill out the health form she has obvious tremors in her dominant hand.

A) Resting tremor
B) Postural tremor
C) Intention tremor


C) Intention tremor

Intention tremors are absent at rest or in a postural position and occur only with intentional movement of the hands. This is seen in cerebellar disease (stroke or alcohol use) or in multiple sclerosis. This patient's tremor, fatigue, bladder problems, and visual problems are suggestive of multiple sclerosis.

Nursing

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