Which assessment finding is most indicative of a patient experiencing dysarthria?

The assessment finding that points most clearly to a patient experiencing dysarthria is difficulty in forming words. Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder resulting from impaired movement of the muscles involved in speech production. Patients with dysarthria often have slurred or slowed speech, which can make it difficult for them to articulate their words properly. This impacts their ability to speak clearly but does not necessarily affect their comprehension or the content of their speech.

In contrast, the other options reflect different aspects of communication or cognitive function. Inability to comprehend spoken language is more indicative of an aphasia type, particularly receptive aphasia. Fluent, effortless speech would not align with dysarthria, as dysarthria typically results in disordered and effortful speech. Deficits in writing and spelling may suggest problems with language processing or cognition rather than a motor speech impairment like dysarthria.