A nurse is educating a student about cerebral edema.
The student nurse inquires, “What type of cerebral edema is associated with a patient who has had a stroke?” Which of the following is the best response from the nurse?

Choice A rationale
Regulation of the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled can affect cerebral blood flow, but it does not directly maintain cerebral perfusion pressure constant.
Choice B rationale
Catecholamines circulating throughout the body can affect blood pressure and heart rate, but they do not directly maintain cerebral perfusion pressure constant.

Choice C rationale
How much blood is pumped from the heart, also known as cardiac output, can affect cerebral perfusion pressure. However, it does not directly maintain cerebral perfusion pressure constant.
Choice D rationale
Regulation of constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain, also known as cerebral autoregulation, is a key mechanism that maintains cerebral perfusion pressure constant. When pressure autoregulation is impaired, cerebral blood flow becomes dependent on cerebral perfusion pressure.

Choice A rationale
Assessing muscle strength is important after a fall as it can help determine if the fall was due to muscle weakness or other neurological issues.
Choice B rationale
Checking for facial symmetry is crucial as asymmetry may indicate a stroke or other serious neurological condition.
Choice C rationale
While checking peripheral pulses is important in general, it may not be the top priority in this case unless there is a specific reason to suspect circulatory issues.
Choice D rationale
Evaluating vision changes is important as sudden vision loss or changes could indicate a serious condition such as a stroke.
Choice E rationale
Checking for aphasia, or difficulty with language, is crucial as it can be a sign of a stroke or other serious neurological condition.
Choice F rationale
Asking about smoking history may not be a priority in the immediate assessment of a patient who has just fallen.