A condition where one side of the body is paralyzed is called?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Hemiplegia is the correct term for neurological weakness or paralysis affecting one vertical half of the body, including the arm, leg, and sometimes the face on the same side.
The prefix 'hemi-' means half, which directly corresponds to the condition described.
This condition is most commonly caused by damage to the contralateral (opposite) hemisphere of the brain, such as from a stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury.

Option A: Paraplegia refers to paralysis of the lower body, affecting both legs, not one entire side.
Option B: Quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) refers to paralysis of all four limbs and the trunk.
Option C: Monoplegia refers to the paralysis of a single limb, such as one arm or one leg.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical Terminology for Types of Paralysis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's ability to quickly recognize hemiplegia as a potential sign of stroke is critical for patient safety and outcomes.
Performing a rapid neurological check using the FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) mnemonic is a key nursing action when a stroke is suspected.
What if? If a patient presented with sudden weakness in both legs but normal arm function, the nurse should suspect paraplegia, pointing towards an acute spinal cord issue rather than a typical stroke, requiring a different set of diagnostic and emergency interventions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'one side of the body is paralyzed'.
Next, analyze the prefixes of the options provided. Medical terminology often uses Greek or Latin roots.
Break down the prefixes: 'Para-' relates to the lower half, 'Quad-' means four, 'Mono-' means one, and 'Hemi-' means half.
Match the prefix 'Hemi-' (half) to the description 'one side of the body'.
This method of decoding prefixes allows you to deduce the correct answer even if you don't recall the full definition of each term.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) pp. 594-596, 597-599

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 180-182

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.