Page 1 of 189
VIII - Excellence in Stroke Care Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2026/2027
Q1. A patient presents with sudden onset of right-sided
weakness and aphasia. Which vascular territory is most
likely affected?
A) Left anterior cerebral artery
B) Right middle cerebral artery
C) Left middle cerebral artery
D) Left posterior cerebral artery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left MCA supplies Broca's and Wernicke's areas
(language) and motor cortex for the right side. Right MCA
,Page 2 of 189
stroke causes left weakness without aphasia. Anterior cerebral
artery affects legs. Posterior cerebral affects vision.
Q2. Which statement best describes the ischemic penumbra?
A) Irreversibly damaged core tissue
B) Hypoperfused tissue at risk for infarction but potentially
salvageable
C) Area of hyperperfusion surrounding the clot
D) Necrotic tissue from hemorrhage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The penumbra is hypoperfused, metabolically active
tissue that can be rescued if reperfusion occurs quickly. The
core is already infarcted.
Q3. A patient with atrial fibrillation presents with sudden
left arm weakness and left facial droop. Which stroke
mechanism is most likely?
,Page 3 of 189
A) Small vessel disease
B) Cardioembolism
C) Large artery atherosclerosis
D) Vasculitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation leads to stasis in the left atrium,
forming thrombi that embolize to the brain, typically causing
moderate-to-severe cortical strokes.
Q4. What is the most common cause of ischemic stroke in
young adults (under 50)?
A) Hypertension
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Arterial dissection
D) Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cervical artery dissection (carotid or vertebral) is a
, Page 4 of 189
leading cause of stroke in younger patients, often following
trauma or spontaneous.
Q5. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for
stroke?
A) Age
B) Male sex
C) Hypertension
D) Family history
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk
factor. Age, sex, and family history are non-modifiable.
Q6. A patient has a stroke in the left posterior cerebral
artery territory. What deficit is most expected?
A) Right-sided weakness
B) Right homonymous hemianopia
VIII - Excellence in Stroke Care Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2026/2027
Q1. A patient presents with sudden onset of right-sided
weakness and aphasia. Which vascular territory is most
likely affected?
A) Left anterior cerebral artery
B) Right middle cerebral artery
C) Left middle cerebral artery
D) Left posterior cerebral artery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left MCA supplies Broca's and Wernicke's areas
(language) and motor cortex for the right side. Right MCA
,Page 2 of 189
stroke causes left weakness without aphasia. Anterior cerebral
artery affects legs. Posterior cerebral affects vision.
Q2. Which statement best describes the ischemic penumbra?
A) Irreversibly damaged core tissue
B) Hypoperfused tissue at risk for infarction but potentially
salvageable
C) Area of hyperperfusion surrounding the clot
D) Necrotic tissue from hemorrhage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The penumbra is hypoperfused, metabolically active
tissue that can be rescued if reperfusion occurs quickly. The
core is already infarcted.
Q3. A patient with atrial fibrillation presents with sudden
left arm weakness and left facial droop. Which stroke
mechanism is most likely?
,Page 3 of 189
A) Small vessel disease
B) Cardioembolism
C) Large artery atherosclerosis
D) Vasculitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation leads to stasis in the left atrium,
forming thrombi that embolize to the brain, typically causing
moderate-to-severe cortical strokes.
Q4. What is the most common cause of ischemic stroke in
young adults (under 50)?
A) Hypertension
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Arterial dissection
D) Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cervical artery dissection (carotid or vertebral) is a
, Page 4 of 189
leading cause of stroke in younger patients, often following
trauma or spontaneous.
Q5. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for
stroke?
A) Age
B) Male sex
C) Hypertension
D) Family history
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk
factor. Age, sex, and family history are non-modifiable.
Q6. A patient has a stroke in the left posterior cerebral
artery territory. What deficit is most expected?
A) Right-sided weakness
B) Right homonymous hemianopia
