Risk factors for stroke include: (Select All That Apply)
Smoking.
High fiber diet.
Hypertension.
Carotid artery stenosis.
Asian descent.
Correct Answer : A,C,D
Choice A rationale
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of stroke by promoting atherosclerosis and damaging the vascular endothelium. Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, while carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. These factors contribute to the formation of arterial plaques and increase blood viscosity, making clot formation more likely. Scientific data consistently shows that smokers have a much higher incidence of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke types.
Choice B rationale
A high fiber diet is generally considered a protective factor against cardiovascular disease rather than a risk factor. Fiber helps to lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and can improve glycemic control, which reduces the overall risk of atherosclerosis. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with lower blood pressure and better vascular health. Therefore, high fiber intake is a recommended lifestyle modification to prevent the onset of stroke.
Choice C rationale
Hypertension is the single most significant modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Persistently high blood pressure, typically defined as ≥140/90 mmHg, causes chronic mechanical stress on the arterial walls. This leads to thickening, loss of elasticity, and the eventual formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Additionally, high pressure can weaken small cerebral vessels, leading to rupture and intracranial hemorrhage. Controlling blood pressure is vital for reducing the global burden of stroke.
Choice D rationale
Carotid artery stenosis involves the narrowing of the carotid arteries, usually due to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. This narrowing restricts blood flow to the brain and creates a site where blood clots can easily form. If a piece of plaque or a clot breaks loose, it can travel to smaller vessels in the brain, causing an embolic stroke. High grade stenosis is a major precursor to significant neurological events and often requires surgical intervention.
Choice E rationale
While certain ethnicities have higher statistical predispositions to stroke due to genetics or prevalence of comorbidities, being of Asian descent is not universally classified as a primary risk factor in the same way as hypertension. In many epidemiological studies, African American and Hispanic populations show higher risks compared to other groups. While regional variations exist, general medical guidelines focus more heavily on modifiable physiological factors and specific high risk genetic markers rather than broad continental ancestry.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Heart rate is the frequency of cardiac cycles measured in beats per minute. This parameter represents the chronotropic state of the heart rather than a volume-related measurement. Normal resting adult heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Preload specifically concerns the end-diastolic volume, whereas Choice A describes a temporal measure of cardiac activity that contributes to total cardiac output but does not define the mechanical stretching of the ventricular fibers before contraction.
Choice B rationale
This description refers to afterload, which is the systemic vascular resistance the left ventricle must push against during systole. Afterload is determined by factors like aortic pressure and systemic vascular tone. While preload is a volume measurement occurring before contraction, afterload is the tension or stress developed in the wall of the left ventricle during ejection. Increased afterload can lead to decreased stroke volume if the heart cannot compensate for the increased resistance within the arterial system.
Choice C rationale
Preload is defined as the initial stretching of the cardiac myocytes prior to contraction. It is directly related to ventricular filling and the end-diastolic volume. According to the Frank-Starling law, as preload increases, the force of contraction increases to a point. Normal central venous pressure, which reflects right-sided preload, is 2 to 6 mmHg. Increasing blood return to the heart stretches the myocardial fibers, optimizing the overlap of actin and myosin filaments for an effective contraction.
Choice D rationale
This statement describes diastolic blood pressure, which is the minimum pressure remaining in the arteries when the heart is in a state of relaxation. Normal diastolic blood pressure for an adult is typically less than 80 mmHg. While this occurs during the same phase of the cardiac cycle as preload, it measures the pressure exerted on vessel walls rather than the volume or stretch within the cardiac chambers themselves. It is a component of systemic vascular resistance.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The frontal lobe is the center for higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, social behavior, and personality expression. It contains the prefrontal cortex, which regulates impulses and emotional responses. Damage to this area frequently results in significant personality changes, impulsivity, or lack of social inhibition. Because this region governs how a person interacts with their environment and manages their character traits, injury there often transforms a patient's baseline temperament and behavioral patterns.
Choice B rationale
Loss of vision is associated with damage to the occipital lobe, located at the very back of the brain. The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual stimuli and interpreting information sent from the retinas. Even if the eyes are healthy, an injury to this posterior region can result in blindness or visual field deficits. Since the frontal lobe does not primarily process visual data, sight loss would not be the expected finding for a frontal injury.
Choice C rationale
Speech difficulty specifically related to the motor production of words is linked to Broca's area, which is located in the frontal lobe. However, when assessing "personality changes" versus "speech difficulty" in a broad clinical context for frontal lobe injury, personality is the most comprehensive answer for the entire lobe's function. While Broca's aphasia is a frontal issue, personality changes represent the vast executive functions of the prefrontal areas that comprise most of the lobe.
Choice D rationale
Hearing loss is typically associated with injury to the temporal lobes, which are located on the sides of the brain near the ears. The primary auditory cortex resides in the superior temporal gyrus and is responsible for receiving and interpreting sound frequencies. Damage to this area results in the inability to perceive or understand auditory information. The frontal lobe is not involved in the primary sensory pathway for hearing, making this an unlikely symptom of frontal trauma.
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