A traumatic brain injury that affects the pituitary gland or hypothalamus can cause which of the following?
Unstable blood pressure
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes mellitus
Altered respiratory rate
The Correct Answer is B
A. Unstable blood pressure can occur with damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary, but it is more commonly associated with other neurological conditions. While blood pressure may fluctuate, it is not the most direct result of pituitary or hypothalamic damage.
B. Diabetes insipidus is the correct answer. The pituitary gland secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps regulate water balance. Damage to the pituitary or hypothalamus can lead to a deficiency of ADH, causing diabetes insipidus, which is characterized by excessive thirst and urination.
C. Diabetes mellitus is a condition related to insulin production and blood sugar regulation, typically caused by pancreatic issues, not damage to the pituitary or hypothalamus.
D. Altered respiratory rate can occur with brain injury, but it is more commonly associated with damage to the brainstem rather than the hypothalamus or pituitary.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that typically results in a temporary loss of brain function. It is often caused by a blow to the head and may result in confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. However, if concussions occur repeatedly, they can lead to long-term cognitive impairment and other serious conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
B. A brainstem contusion is a more severe injury that affects the brainstem, which controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate. It is not classified as a mild injury.
C. A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood between the brain and its outermost covering. It is a serious condition that can result from a traumatic brain injury and is not considered mild.
D. An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and the dura mater. It is often caused by a traumatic head injury and is considered a medical emergency, not a mild injury.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A thrombotic stroke is typically caused by a blood clot that forms in an artery supplying blood to the brain, usually due to atherosclerosis. While it is a possible cause of stroke, it is not the most likely in this patient with atrial fibrillation.
B. A cerebral aneurysm involves a weakness in the blood vessel wall that can lead to rupture and bleeding, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, but this is not the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
C. Embolic stroke occurs when a clot or other debris (such as a thrombus) breaks off from a distant part of the body (like the heart in atrial fibrillation) and travels to the brain, blocking a cerebral artery. This is the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation due to the formation of clots in the left atrium that can embolize to the brain.
D. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, leading to bleeding. It is not the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, though it can occur if there is coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy.
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