Stroke Quiz Study Guide

1. Modifiable vs. Nonmodifiable Risk Factors for Stroke

Nonmodifiable Risk Factors:

• Age (risk increases with age)

• Gender (more common in men)

• Ethnicity/Race (higher incidence in African Americans)

• Family history/heredity

Modifiable Risk Factors:

• Hypertension

• Heart disease (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation)

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Sleep apnea

• Metabolic syndrome

• Physical inactivity

• Poor diet

• Drug & alcohol abuse

2. BE FAST Stroke Recognition Mnemonic

• B = Balance (sudden loss of balance/coordination)

• E = Eyes (sudden vision changes in one or both eyes)

• F = Face (facial drooping on one side)

• A = Arms (arm weakness or drift)

• S = Speech (slurred or strange speech)

• T = Time (TIME is critical — call 911 immediately!)

3. Cranial Nerves 9, 10, 11, 12, and 7

• CN IX (Glossopharyngeal): Swallowing, gag reflex, taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue.

• CN X (Vagus): Controls muscles for voice, swallowing; parasympathetic regulation of heart, lungs, GI tract.

• CN XI (Accessory): Shoulder shrug (trapezius muscle) and head-turning (sternocleidomastoid muscle).

• CN XII (Hypoglossal): Tongue movement.

• CN VII (Facial): Facial expressions, taste on anterior 2/3 of tongue, tear and salivary glands.

4. Stroke in Frontal and Temporal Lobe — Affected Functions

• Frontal Lobe Stroke Effects:

  • Impaired speech production (Broca’s area — expressive aphasia)

  • Motor weakness (contralateral side)

  • Problems with reasoning, planning, personality changes

• Temporal Lobe Stroke Effects:

  • Difficulty understanding language (Wernicke’s area — receptive aphasia)

  • Memory issues

  • Auditory processing problems

5. Three Major Cerebral Arteries & Their Supply Areas

• Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA): Supplies medial & anterior frontal lobes.

• Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA): Supplies lateral aspects of frontal, parietal, and superior temporal lobes.

• Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA): Supplies medial occipital lobes and inferior temporal lobes.

6. Brain Area Controlling Respiratory and Heart Rate

• Brainstem (Medulla Oblongata & Pons):

  • Controls respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure

  • Damage here can be life-threatening.

7. Behaviors in Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided Stroke

8. Communication Tool for Broca's Aphasia

• Picture boards or communication boards (AAC boards)

  • Use simple pictures and words for yes/no, needs, emotions.

• Gesture-based communication

  • Encourage the patient to point, gesture, or use simple writing.

• Speech Therapy

  • Important for rehabilitation and improving expressive communication.