Strokes

Question 1

What is a stroke?

Answer 1

A cerebrovascular accident (aka, CVA), resulting in death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen

Question 2

The two types of strokes are:

Answer 2

1. Ischemic
2. Hemorrhagic

Question 3

Are Ischemic or Hemorrhagic strokes more common?

Answer 3

Ischemic

Question 4

What is the difference between Ischemic Strokes and Hemorrhagic Strokes?

Answer 4

Ischemic strokes: A clot blocks blood flow to an area of the brain

Hemorrhagic strokes: Bleeding occurs inside or around brain tissue

Question 5

Ischemic strokes have two sub-categories, they are:

Answer 5

Thrombotic:
- Blood Clot in an artery directly leading to the brain

Embolic:
- Clot develops elsewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain

Question 6

Hemorrhagic stroke has two sub-categories, what are they and how do they differ?

Answer 6

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:
- Uncontrolled bleeding on surface of brain

Intracerebral Hemorrhage:
- Artery deep within the brain ruptures

Question 7

What is an Aneurysm?

Answer 7

Weakened area in blood vessel walls that fills with blood and bulges, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding in the brain

Question 8

What is An AVM? (Arteriovenous Malformation)

Answer 8

A malformation of blood vessels usually present at birth that causes artery walls to be weaker, increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke

Question 9

What is a TIA? (Transient Ischemic Attack)

Answer 9

• a “mini-stroke”
• Foreign material is dislodged or broken up and blood circulation resorted it into the brain

Question 10

What does the acronym “F.A.S.T.” stand for?

Answer 10

Face, Arms, Speech, Time

Question 11

What would you expect to see in a patient with a Left-Hemisphere Stroke?

Answer 11

• Language Problems (Aphasia)
• Motor Problems on the right side of the body
• Logical reasoning issues

Question 12

What would you expect to see in a patient with a right hemisphere stroke?

Answer 12

• Problems with attention
• Trouble recognizing change in tone of voice
• Depth and orientation issues
• Executive functioning difficulties

Question 13

What would you expect to see in a patient with a cerebellar stroke?

Answer 13

• Gross Motor issues
• abnormal reflexes
• dizziness and nausea
• balance and coordination problems

Question 14

What would you expect to see in a patient with a Brain Stem stroke?

Answer 14

• Most serious stroke, with a low survival rate
• unable to breathe on their own, swallow, walk, or talk
• usually only sustains movement of the eyes

Question 15

Define aphasia

Answer 15

The ability to use or comprehend language is frequently lost or impaired as a result of brain trauma

Question 16

Define dysphagia

Answer 16

difficulty swallowing

Question 17

Define dysarthria

Answer 17

Slurred speech due to weakness in speech muscles

Question 18

Define apraxia

Answer 18

A neurological syndrome characterized by difficulty in performing daily tasks even if the instructions are understood. The person affected finds it difficult to tie shoelace, button the shirt, difficulty in making certain facial expressions etc.