STROKE SCA 411 STROKE SCALE EXAM QUESTIONS
350 MULTIPLECHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES & STROKE FUNDAMENTALS (Questions
150)
1. What is the primary purpose of a stroke scale?
A) To diagnose the exact type of stroke
B) To rapidly assess and quantify neurological deficits
C) To determine the patient's blood pressure
D) To evaluate cardiac function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a stroke scale is to rapidly assess and
quantify neurological deficits in a standardized manner, allowing for
consistent evaluation, tracking of changes, and guiding treatment decisions.
2. What percentage of strokes occur in someone who has already had a
stroke?
A) 510%
B) 1015%
C) 2025%
D) 3040%
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 2025% of strokes occur in individuals who have
previously experienced a stroke, highlighting the importance of secondary
prevention strategies.
3. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for stroke?
A) Hypertension
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Regular exercise
D) Diabetes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Regular exercise is a protective factor against stroke, not a risk
factor. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes are established risk
factors.
4. What is a stroke/CVA?
A) A temporary drop in blood pressure
B) Interruption in cerebral blood flow causing tissue death/infarction
C) A seizure disorders
D) An infection of the brain tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is defined as an
interruption in cerebral blood flow that results in tissue death and infarction.
,5. Total loss of blood flow leads to tissue death in how many minutes?
A) 12 minutes
B) 410 minutes
C) 1520 minutes
D) 3060 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complete cessation of blood flow to brain tissue leads to
irreversible cell death within 410 minutes due to the brain's high metabolic
demands.
6. What is a TIA?
A) A severe stroke with permanent damage
B) Transient ischemic attack interruption in blood flow with symptoms but
no infarction
C) A type of brain hemorrhage
D) A progressive neurological disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a temporary interruption of
blood flow to the brain that causes stroke like symptoms but does not result in
permanent tissue infarction.
7. How long do TIA symptoms typically last?
A) Less than 1 hour
B) Less than 24 hours
C) 2448 hours
, D) More than 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TIA symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours, though symptoms
of an actual stroke can also resolve within this timeframe, making
differentiation challenging.
8. What percentage of TIA patients will have a stroke within 90 days?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 1 in 5 (20%) of patients who experience a TIA will
go on to have a stroke within 90 days, emphasizing the need for urgent
evaluation and preventive measures.
9. Which of the following is a cause of cardioembolic stroke?
A) Large vessel stenosis
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Small vessel disease
D) Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of cardioembolic stroke, along
with valvular disease and thrombus formation.
350 MULTIPLECHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES & STROKE FUNDAMENTALS (Questions
150)
1. What is the primary purpose of a stroke scale?
A) To diagnose the exact type of stroke
B) To rapidly assess and quantify neurological deficits
C) To determine the patient's blood pressure
D) To evaluate cardiac function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a stroke scale is to rapidly assess and
quantify neurological deficits in a standardized manner, allowing for
consistent evaluation, tracking of changes, and guiding treatment decisions.
2. What percentage of strokes occur in someone who has already had a
stroke?
A) 510%
B) 1015%
C) 2025%
D) 3040%
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 2025% of strokes occur in individuals who have
previously experienced a stroke, highlighting the importance of secondary
prevention strategies.
3. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for stroke?
A) Hypertension
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Regular exercise
D) Diabetes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Regular exercise is a protective factor against stroke, not a risk
factor. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes are established risk
factors.
4. What is a stroke/CVA?
A) A temporary drop in blood pressure
B) Interruption in cerebral blood flow causing tissue death/infarction
C) A seizure disorders
D) An infection of the brain tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is defined as an
interruption in cerebral blood flow that results in tissue death and infarction.
,5. Total loss of blood flow leads to tissue death in how many minutes?
A) 12 minutes
B) 410 minutes
C) 1520 minutes
D) 3060 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complete cessation of blood flow to brain tissue leads to
irreversible cell death within 410 minutes due to the brain's high metabolic
demands.
6. What is a TIA?
A) A severe stroke with permanent damage
B) Transient ischemic attack interruption in blood flow with symptoms but
no infarction
C) A type of brain hemorrhage
D) A progressive neurological disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a temporary interruption of
blood flow to the brain that causes stroke like symptoms but does not result in
permanent tissue infarction.
7. How long do TIA symptoms typically last?
A) Less than 1 hour
B) Less than 24 hours
C) 2448 hours
, D) More than 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TIA symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours, though symptoms
of an actual stroke can also resolve within this timeframe, making
differentiation challenging.
8. What percentage of TIA patients will have a stroke within 90 days?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 1 in 5 (20%) of patients who experience a TIA will
go on to have a stroke within 90 days, emphasizing the need for urgent
evaluation and preventive measures.
9. Which of the following is a cause of cardioembolic stroke?
A) Large vessel stenosis
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Small vessel disease
D) Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of cardioembolic stroke, along
with valvular disease and thrombus formation.
