Stroke Rehabilitation exam questions with
answers
What does stroke recovery result from? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Recovery
of the ischemic penumbra (restoring blood flow)
Resolution of cerebellar edema
Neuroplasticity and rehabilitation
What are better outcomes of stroke recovery associated with? - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Early medical care
Smaller strokes (more focal)
Specialized stroke care centers
Early intensive multidisciplinary rehab (mobility ASAP)
Is stroke recovery the same for all patients? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔NO -
highly variable
Ex. Hemorrhagic pts tend to not recovery as quickly due to edema then seem to
make major gains at once. Whereas ischemic pts have rapid, steady rate of
gains in first 6 months then plateau
,T/F: Most stroke recovery happens in first 6 months and progress stops once
the stroke is considered chronic - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔True that most
stroke recovery occurs in first 6 months however progress can still be made in
chronic stages
What is the prognosis for motor recovery if motor does not return after 4 weeks
post stroke? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Poor
What are mortality predictors of stroke? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔History of
past CVA, prolonged LOC, dysphagia, aspiration, pneumonia, age, increased
ICP, and size of lesion
What percent of stroke patients will need some level of assistance long term? -
CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔66% (1/3)
Is there a genetic effect on prognosis following a stroke? - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Yes - there are genetic polymorphisms related to stroke
recovery (BDNF production)
Goals of stroke care units? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Rapid medical
attention
Limit neurologic damage
Optimize medical status
Initiate early rehab/functional mobilization
, Multidisciplinary inpatient units - reduction in mortality rates but only 38% of
US hospitals and rehab centers have these units
Who is on the stroke care team? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Patient and family
Physicians (neurologist, cardiologist, surgeon, etc.)
Nurses
PT/OT
SLP
Dietician
Social worker
Neuropsychologists
Respiratory, recreation and vocational therapists
ICU/Acute care goals of post-stroke PT - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Pt and
family education
Prevention of secondary complications
Positioning, splinting
Manage impairments
EARLY MOBILIZATION: low intensity, monitor status closely
Discharge planning (avg acute care stay is 5 days)
Rehab goals of post-stroke PT - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Same as acute care
setting but patient will be more stable
answers
What does stroke recovery result from? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Recovery
of the ischemic penumbra (restoring blood flow)
Resolution of cerebellar edema
Neuroplasticity and rehabilitation
What are better outcomes of stroke recovery associated with? - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Early medical care
Smaller strokes (more focal)
Specialized stroke care centers
Early intensive multidisciplinary rehab (mobility ASAP)
Is stroke recovery the same for all patients? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔NO -
highly variable
Ex. Hemorrhagic pts tend to not recovery as quickly due to edema then seem to
make major gains at once. Whereas ischemic pts have rapid, steady rate of
gains in first 6 months then plateau
,T/F: Most stroke recovery happens in first 6 months and progress stops once
the stroke is considered chronic - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔True that most
stroke recovery occurs in first 6 months however progress can still be made in
chronic stages
What is the prognosis for motor recovery if motor does not return after 4 weeks
post stroke? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Poor
What are mortality predictors of stroke? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔History of
past CVA, prolonged LOC, dysphagia, aspiration, pneumonia, age, increased
ICP, and size of lesion
What percent of stroke patients will need some level of assistance long term? -
CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔66% (1/3)
Is there a genetic effect on prognosis following a stroke? - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Yes - there are genetic polymorphisms related to stroke
recovery (BDNF production)
Goals of stroke care units? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Rapid medical
attention
Limit neurologic damage
Optimize medical status
Initiate early rehab/functional mobilization
, Multidisciplinary inpatient units - reduction in mortality rates but only 38% of
US hospitals and rehab centers have these units
Who is on the stroke care team? - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Patient and family
Physicians (neurologist, cardiologist, surgeon, etc.)
Nurses
PT/OT
SLP
Dietician
Social worker
Neuropsychologists
Respiratory, recreation and vocational therapists
ICU/Acute care goals of post-stroke PT - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Pt and
family education
Prevention of secondary complications
Positioning, splinting
Manage impairments
EARLY MOBILIZATION: low intensity, monitor status closely
Discharge planning (avg acute care stay is 5 days)
Rehab goals of post-stroke PT - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Same as acute care
setting but patient will be more stable
