Stroke Pathophysiology: Causes, Types, and Nursing Implications

Question 1

What is the leading cause of ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Hypercoagulability

Answer

Vasospasm

Answer

Vasculitis

Question 2

Which part of the brain is most commonly affected by stroke?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Spinal cord

Question 3

What is the primary mechanism leading to brain damage in a hemorrhagic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hematoma formation and compression

Answer

Ischemia

Answer

Edema

Answer

Inflammatory response

Question 4

What is the first-line treatment for an acute ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Thrombolytic therapy

Answer

Antiplatelet therapy

Answer

Anticoagulation

Answer

Surgical intervention

Question 5

Which of the following is a preventable risk factor for stroke?

Accepted Answer

Smoking

Answer

Age

Answer

Family history

Answer

Race

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a modifiable risk factor for stroke?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Smoking

Question 7

What is the most common type of stroke in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Brain aneurysm

Question 8

What is the area of viable but ischemic brain tissue called in the context of stroke?

Accepted Answer

Penumbra

Answer

Area of irreversible brain damage

Answer

Area of hemorrhage

Answer

Area of normal brain function

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?

Accepted Answer

To assess neurological deficits in stroke patients

Answer

To diagnose stroke type

Answer

To predict stroke prognosis

Answer

To guide treatment decisions

Question 10

Which of the following medications is a thrombolytic agent used in the treatment of ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Heparin

Question 11

Which of the following is a risk factor for stroke that cannot be changed?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Diabetes

Question 12

Which of the following is the predominant type of stroke caused by the occlusion of an artery in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Brain aneurysm

Question 13

What is the fundamental mechanism responsible for neuronal damage in ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hypoxia and ischemia

Answer

Hemorrhage

Answer

Edema

Answer

Thrombosis

Question 14

Which of the following is a significant risk factor commonly associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Obesity

Question 15

Which diagnostic test is routinely utilized for the prompt diagnosis of acute stroke?

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Lumbar puncture

Question 16

Identify the primary goal guiding nursing interventions for patients with acute stroke:

Accepted Answer

Preventing further brain damage

Answer

Improving neurological function

Answer

Managing complications

Answer

Providing emotional support

Question 17

What is the primary function of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in stroke therapy?

Accepted Answer

Dissolving blood clots

Answer

Preventing seizures

Answer

Reducing inflammation

Answer

Improving blood flow

Question 18

The prognosis for stroke patients is primarily determined by:

Accepted Answer

The severity and location of the stroke

Answer

Typically poor, with most patients dying within a year

Answer

Usually excellent, with most patients recovering fully

Answer

Cannot be accurately predicted

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Elevated cholesterol levels

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Smoking

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor for stroke?

Accepted Answer

Seizures

Answer

Ischemic heart disease

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Question 21

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Embolism

Answer

Hemorrhage

Answer

Vasospasm

Question 22

Which type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Lacunar stroke

Question 23

The "golden hour" in stroke management refers to the critical time window when:

Accepted Answer

Treatment is most effective

Answer

Recovery is unlikely

Answer

Brain damage is irreversible

Answer

Symptoms are usually mild

Question 24

The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Assess stroke severity

Answer

Diagnose stroke

Answer

Predict stroke prognosis

Answer

Monitor stroke recovery

Question 25

Which of the following is a common risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 26

The development of new or worsening neurological deficits in the days following an initial stroke is known as:

Accepted Answer

Delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND)

Answer

Progressive stroke

Answer

Recurrent stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Question 27

Which type of stroke is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 87% of all stroke incidents?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Question 28

What is the predominant underlying cause of ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Cerebral aneurysm

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmia

Answer

Vasculitis

Question 29

In a patient with a right-hemisphere stroke, which of the following neurological deficits is most likely to be observed?

Accepted Answer

Right-sided spatial neglect and impaired attention

Answer

Left-sided weakness and impaired fine motor skills

Answer

Bilateral lower extremity weakness and sensory loss

Answer

Aphasia and impaired comprehension

Question 30

What is the term used to describe a transient episode of neurological dysfunction that typically resolves within 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Lacunar stroke

Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Cerebral infarction

Question 31

Which imaging technique offers the highest sensitivity for detecting early signs of ischemic changes in stroke?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 32

Which of the following is a type of stroke where bleeding occurs in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack

Answer

Cerebral venous infarction

Question 33

What is the main mechanism leading to brain damage in ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Reduced blood flow and oxygen supply

Answer

Hemorrhage and bleeding

Answer

Compression of brain tissue

Answer

Inflammation and edema

Question 34

In managing hemorrhagic stroke, which nursing intervention is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Controlling blood pressure

Answer

Maintaining airway patency

Answer

Administering anticonvulsants

Answer

Providing emotional support

Question 35

Which acronym is used to assess common stroke symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Face, Arms, Speech, Time

Answer

First, Aid, Stroke, Time

Answer

Face, Arms, Stroke, Test

Answer

First, Assess, Stroke, Treat

Question 36

What is the primary goal of thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke treatment?

Accepted Answer

To dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow

Answer

To reduce inflammation and swelling

Answer

To reverse neurological deficits

Answer

To prevent seizures

Question 37

Which scale is commonly used to determine the severity of stroke?

Accepted Answer

NIH Stroke Scale

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer

Hunt and Hess Scale

Answer

Modified Rankin Scale

Question 38

What is the most common cause of ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Carotid artery dissection

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Question 39

What is the pathophysiological mechanism of cerebral ischemia?

Accepted Answer

Reduced blood flow to the brain

Answer

Increased intracranial pressure

Answer

Damage to the blood-brain barrier

Answer

Activation of inflammatory pathways

Question 40

What is the recommended time frame for administering thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Within 4.5 hours of symptom onset

Answer

Within 6 hours of symptom onset

Answer

Within 24 hours of symptom onset

Answer

There is no time limit

Question 41

Which anticoagulant is commonly prescribed to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Clopidogrel

Question 42

Which type of hemorrhagic stroke is most commonly associated with hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Intracerebral hemorrhage

Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Intraventricular hemorrhage

Question 43

According to current stroke treatment guidelines, what is the recommended time frame for administering intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

4.5 hours from symptom onset

Answer

tPA is not used in acute ischemic stroke

Answer

24 hours from symptom onset

Answer

6 hours from symptom onset

Question 44

What is a common cause of stroke in young adults, typically under the age of 50?

Accepted Answer

Cervical artery dissection

Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Hypertension

Question 45

Which of the following is the primary cause of ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 46

What is the term for the irreversible loss of brain tissue due to lack of blood flow?

Accepted Answer

Infarction

Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Hemorrhage

Answer

Embolism

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of a carotid endarterectomy?

Accepted Answer

To remove atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery

Answer

To dissolve a blood clot in the carotid artery

Answer

To bypass a blocked carotid artery

Question 48

What is the primary goal of rehabilitation after stroke?

Accepted Answer

To restore function and minimize disability

Answer

To provide emotional support

Answer

To cure the stroke

Answer

To prevent future strokes

Question 49

Which of the following is a contraindication for thrombolysis in stroke?

Accepted Answer

Recent surgery

Answer

History of hypertension

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Diabetes