Which term describes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and upper extremities seen in acute rheumatic fever?

Which term describes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and upper extremities seen in acute rheumatic fever?

• A. Dyskinesia
• B. Tremor
• C. Gnosis
• D. Chorea

Answer: (D)

Chorea describes involuntary, irregular, dance-like movements that involve the face, tongue, and upper extremities. In acute rheumatic fever, this appears as Sydenham chorea, a major clinical manifestation due to autoimmune effects on the basal ganglia after a streptococcal infection. The movements are rapid and unpredictable, can affect speech and handwriting, and may worsen with stress while improving with distraction. Dyskinesia is a broader term for abnormal movements but not specifically the characteristic choreiform pattern; tremor is a rhythmic oscillation, and gnosis refers to recognizing objects or faces, not movement.

Chorea describes involuntary, irregular, dance-like movements that involve the face, tongue, and upper extremities. In acute rheumatic fever, this appears as Sydenham chorea, a major clinical manifestation due to autoimmune effects on the basal ganglia after a streptococcal infection. The movements are rapid and unpredictable, can affect speech and handwriting, and may worsen with stress while improving with distraction. Dyskinesia is a broader term for abnormal movements but not specifically the characteristic choreiform pattern; tremor is a rhythmic oscillation, and gnosis refers to recognizing objects or faces, not movement.