Stoke and Intracranial Hemorrhage

Question 1

occlusive strokes

Answer 1

occurs when a cerebral artery is blocked by a clot or other foreign matter / classified as either embolic or thrombotic, depending on the cause

Question 2

ischemia

Answer 2

inadequate blood supply to the brain tissue and progresses to infarction

Question 3

infarction

Answer 3

death of tissues as a result of cessation of blood supply

Question 4

herniation

Answer 4

protrusion of brain tissue from the skull through the foramen magnum, the narrow opening at the base of the skull

Question 5

embolic strokes

Answer 5

solid, liquid, or gaseous mass carried to a blood vessel from a remote site / most common emboli are clots (thromboemboli) / A-fib other results in atrial dilation, precursor to the formation of clots / occur suddenly and may be characterized by severe headaches

Question 6

thrombotic strokes

Answer 6

blood clot that gradually develops in and obstructs a cerebral artery / atherosclerosis / signs and symptoms develop gradually, often occurs at night / characterized by patient awakening with alerted mental status, loss of speech, sensory, or motor function

Question 7

hemorrhagic strokes

Answer 7

within the brain (intracerebral) or in the space around the outer surface of the brain (subarachnoid) / onset marked by severe headache / mostly occur in the hypertensive patient / subarachnoid hemorrhages often result from congenital blood vessel abnormalities (aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations) or head trauma / aneurysms tend to be on the surface and may hemorrhage into the brain tissue or subarachnoid space / arteriovenous malformations may be within the brain, in the subarachnoid space, or both

Question 8

dysphasia

Answer 8

difficulty in speaking

Question 9

aphasia

Answer 9

inability to speak

Question 10

dysarthria

Answer 10

impairment of the tongue and muscles essential to speech

Question 11

hemiparesis

Answer 11

weakness on one side

Question 12

hemiplegia

Answer 12

paralysis on one side

Question 13

paresthesia

Answer 13

numbness or tingling

Question 14

predisposing stroke factors

Answer 14

hypertension, diabetes, abnormal blood lipid levels, oral contraceptives, sickle cell disease, cardiac arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation)

Question 15

Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS)

Answer 15

assesses blood glucose levels, facial droop, grip strength, and arm drift

Question 16

Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS)

Answer 16

evaluates facial droop, arm drift, and speech / abnormal finding on any of these 3 parameters is associated with a 72% probability the patient has suffered a stroke

Question 17

transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

Answer 17

temporary interference with the blood supply to the brain, producing symptoms of neurologic deficit / symptoms last for a few minutes or several hours and usually resolve within 24 hours

Question 18

TIA common cause

Answer 18

carotid artery disease