BIOD 331 Pathophysiology Module 6 Exam: Neurological Disorders
2026/2027 UPDATE | Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the ‘penumbra’ in the context of an ischemic
stroke?
A. The core area of dead tissue that cannot be salvaged.
B. The area of healthy brain tissue unaffected by the stroke.
C. The zone of minimally perfused cells surrounding the central core of infarction.
D. The ruptured vessel causing a hemorrhagic bleed.
Answer: C
Rationale: The penumbra is the area of ischemic tissue that is potentially salvageable if
blood flow is restored quickly.
2. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is characterized by neurological deficits that
resolve within what time frame?
A. 48 to 72 hours
B. Exactly 1 hour
C. Less than 24 hours
D. One week
Answer: C
Rationale: TIAs are brief episodes of neurological dysfunction that usually last less than an
hour and must resolve within 24 hours.
,3. What is the most common cause of a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Carotid artery stenosis
D. Ruptured aneurysm
Answer: D
Rationale: Subarachnoid hemorrhages are frequently caused by the rupture of a cerebral
aneurysm into the subarachnoid space.
4. Which type of stroke is primarily caused by a blood clot blocking a cerebral
artery?
A. Hemorrhagic stroke
B. Intracerebral hemorrhage
C. Ischemic stroke
D. Arteriovenous malformation
Answer: C
Rationale: Ischemic strokes result from an obstruction (thrombus or embolus) within a
blood vessel supplying the brain.
5. A patient presents with sudden weakness on the right side of the face and
arm, and difficulty speaking. Which artery is most likely involved?
A. Left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
B. Right Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
C. Left Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)
D. Basilar Artery
Answer: A
Rationale: The MCA supplies the motor and sensory cortex for the face and arm; left-sided
involvement causes right-sided deficits and aphasia.
, 6. Which risk factor is considered the most significant modifiable risk factor for
both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes?
A. Age
B. Hypertension
C. Family history
D. Gender
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke
prevention.
7. What is the primary mechanism of tissue damage in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia
B. Autoimmune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system
C. Atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the carotid arteries
D. Excessive glutamate release causing excitotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: MS is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin
sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
8. In Multiple Sclerosis, which cells are responsible for producing myelin in the
Central Nervous System?
A. Schwann cells
B. Oligodendrocytes
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: B
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS; Schwann cells produce it in the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
2026/2027 UPDATE | Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the ‘penumbra’ in the context of an ischemic
stroke?
A. The core area of dead tissue that cannot be salvaged.
B. The area of healthy brain tissue unaffected by the stroke.
C. The zone of minimally perfused cells surrounding the central core of infarction.
D. The ruptured vessel causing a hemorrhagic bleed.
Answer: C
Rationale: The penumbra is the area of ischemic tissue that is potentially salvageable if
blood flow is restored quickly.
2. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is characterized by neurological deficits that
resolve within what time frame?
A. 48 to 72 hours
B. Exactly 1 hour
C. Less than 24 hours
D. One week
Answer: C
Rationale: TIAs are brief episodes of neurological dysfunction that usually last less than an
hour and must resolve within 24 hours.
,3. What is the most common cause of a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Carotid artery stenosis
D. Ruptured aneurysm
Answer: D
Rationale: Subarachnoid hemorrhages are frequently caused by the rupture of a cerebral
aneurysm into the subarachnoid space.
4. Which type of stroke is primarily caused by a blood clot blocking a cerebral
artery?
A. Hemorrhagic stroke
B. Intracerebral hemorrhage
C. Ischemic stroke
D. Arteriovenous malformation
Answer: C
Rationale: Ischemic strokes result from an obstruction (thrombus or embolus) within a
blood vessel supplying the brain.
5. A patient presents with sudden weakness on the right side of the face and
arm, and difficulty speaking. Which artery is most likely involved?
A. Left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
B. Right Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
C. Left Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)
D. Basilar Artery
Answer: A
Rationale: The MCA supplies the motor and sensory cortex for the face and arm; left-sided
involvement causes right-sided deficits and aphasia.
, 6. Which risk factor is considered the most significant modifiable risk factor for
both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes?
A. Age
B. Hypertension
C. Family history
D. Gender
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke
prevention.
7. What is the primary mechanism of tissue damage in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia
B. Autoimmune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system
C. Atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the carotid arteries
D. Excessive glutamate release causing excitotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: MS is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin
sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
8. In Multiple Sclerosis, which cells are responsible for producing myelin in the
Central Nervous System?
A. Schwann cells
B. Oligodendrocytes
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: B
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS; Schwann cells produce it in the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
