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

Left-Sided Stroke

Right-Sided Stroke

Slow, cautious, disorganized

Impulsive, poor judgment, safety risk

Anxious, fearful

Overestimates abilities, unaware of deficits

Language/speech issues (aphasia, if dominant side)

Spatial-perceptual deficits (neglect of left side)

Trouble with reading, writing

Visual memory problems

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.