What causes brain stroke?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

A stroke is defined as an abrupt onset of a neurologic deficit due to a vascular cause, specifically affecting the brain.
The direct cause is a reduction or cessation of blood flow to brain tissue, which occurs within the cerebral arteries.
This interruption deprives neurons of oxygen and glucose, leading to rapid cell injury and death (infarction).
This can happen either through a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a rupture (hemorrhagic stroke) of a cerebral vessel.

Option B: While a blockage in the carotid artery is a major cause of ischemic stroke, the stroke itself is the resulting lack of blood flow in the cerebral arteries and subsequent brain tissue damage. The carotid artery is a proximal source, not the location of the brain event itself.
Option C: The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. A lack of blood supply to these arteries causes a myocardial infarction (heart attack), not a brain stroke.
Option D: A correct and specific cause is listed in the options, making this choice incorrect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Rapid identification of stroke symptoms using the FAST mnemonic is a critical nursing and public health responsibility to ensure timely medical intervention.
Time is brain. For ischemic strokes, treatment with thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs) is highly time-sensitive, typically within a 4.5-hour window from the last known well time.
Nursing care for a stroke patient involves immediate assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs), monitoring vital signs (especially blood pressure), checking blood glucose, and preparing for emergency neuroimaging (CT scan) to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is the direct cause of a 'brain stroke'.
Analyze the anatomical location of the blood vessels mentioned in each option.
Option A refers to 'cerebral blood vessels', which are the arteries located inside the brain.
Option B refers to the 'carotid artery', which is a major artery in the neck that supplies the brain.
Option C refers to the 'coronary artery', which supplies the heart.
A 'brain stroke' is an event that occurs within the brain itself. Therefore, the most precise and direct cause is the disruption of blood flow in the cerebral vessels.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qwc9tn8Sn1w9lVKs8BbdVq

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1332-1334

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 3 p. 57-59

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 1170-1172

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

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