When assessing a patient with left side brain damage, which symptom is also likely to be present?

A patient with left hemisphere brain damage is likely to present with agraphia due to the role of the left side of the brain in language processing and writing. Agraphia specifically refers to the difficulty or inability to write, which is often linked to damage in the areas of the brain responsible for language, such as Broca's area and the angular gyrus. Since many language functions are localized in the left hemisphere for right-handed individuals, agraphia can manifest as a significant impairment following left-sided brain injury.

Additionally, right side hemiplegia may also be seen in these cases, as motor control is typically organized such that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. However, agraphia provides a more direct link to the specific functions associated with left hemisphere damage, particularly in relation to communication and writing skills.

Short attention span and balance impairment can occur in various neurological conditions but are not specifically indicative of left brain damage. The presence of agraphia, therefore, strongly correlates with the known functions that are affected by damage to the left hemisphere and highlights the importance of these cognitive-linguistic skills.