A traumatic brain injury on the brainstem can cause which of the following?
Emotional lability
Personality changes
Diabetes insipidus
Unstable vital signs
The Correct Answer is D
A. Emotional lability (rapid mood swings) can occur with brain injuries, but it is more commonly associated with damage to the frontal lobe, not the brainstem.
B. Personality changes are also more likely to result from damage to the frontal lobe or other areas of the brain responsible for behavior and personality, not the brainstem.
C. Diabetes insipidus can result from brain injury, particularly damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, but it is not a direct consequence of brainstem injury.
D. Unstable vital signs are a common result of damage to the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Damage to the brainstem can lead to life-threatening instability in these vital functions.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A thrombotic stroke is typically caused by a blood clot that forms in an artery supplying blood to the brain, usually due to atherosclerosis. While it is a possible cause of stroke, it is not the most likely in this patient with atrial fibrillation.
B. A cerebral aneurysm involves a weakness in the blood vessel wall that can lead to rupture and bleeding, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, but this is not the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
C. Embolic stroke occurs when a clot or other debris (such as a thrombus) breaks off from a distant part of the body (like the heart in atrial fibrillation) and travels to the brain, blocking a cerebral artery. This is the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation due to the formation of clots in the left atrium that can embolize to the brain.
D. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, leading to bleeding. It is not the most common type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, though it can occur if there is coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. This response includes tachycardia (increased heart rate) and dilated pupils (mydriasis), both of which are common physiological changes during sympathetic activation.
B. Pupil constriction and bronchoconstriction are associated with the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "rest and digest" functions.
C. Increased peristalsis and abdominal cramping are also associated with the parasympathetic nervous system, as it promotes digestion and relaxation of the body.
D. Hypoglycemia and headache are not direct indicators of sympathetic activation. Hypoglycemia can occur for various reasons, and headaches can be caused by multiple factors, but they are not specific signs of sympathetic nervous system activation.
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