A family brings their elderly mom to the emergency department. The client had a short period of time where she was confused, had slurred speech and appeared to have a weak arm

Question

Now she is back to her normal self. Suspecting a transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), the health care provider will order diagnostic testing looking for:
A) Aneurysm leakage
B) Cause of minor residual deficits
C) Diffuse cerebral electrical malfunctions
D) Atherosclerotic lesions in cerebral vessels

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
The traditional definition of TIAs as a neurologic deficit resolving within 24 hours was developed before the mechanisms of ischemic cell damage and the penumbra were known and before the newer, more advanced methods of neuroimaging became available. A more accurate definition now is a transient deficit without time limits, best described as a zone of penumbra without central infarction. TIAs are important because they may provide warning of impending stroke. The causes of TIAs are the same as those of ischemic stroke, and include atherosclerotic disease of cerebral vessels and emboli. The most common predisposing factors for cerebral hemorrhage are advancing age and hypertension; other causes include aneurysm rupture. Cerebral electrical malfunctions usually occur with seizure activity.