What is cognitive impairment primarily characterized by?

Cognitive impairment is fundamentally characterized by challenges in mental processes such as perception, memory, attention, and reasoning skills. These cognitive functions are essential for processing information, learning new concepts, problem-solving, and making decisions. When someone experiences cognitive impairment, they may struggle to focus on tasks, recall information, and understand or analyze situations. This can significantly impact their daily functioning and overall quality of life.

The other choices focus on different aspects. Physical coordination relates more to motor skills rather than cognitive processing. Verbal communication is a specific skill that may be affected by cognitive impairments but does not encompass the broader aspects of cognitive function. Emotional regulation involves the ability to manage emotional responses and is not primarily a cognitive function, although there can be overlap in how cognitive impairments affect emotional responses. Thus, the correct answer highlights the core components of cognitive impairment.