Question

During the acute phase of a stroke, the nurse anticipates which cardiovascular sign as the body tries to increase cerebral blood flow?

Option 1: Hypertension.
Option 2: Bradycardia.
Option 3: Hypotension.
Option 4: Tachycardia.

Answer 1

The cardiovascular sign that a nurse might anticipate during the acute phase of a stroke as the body tries to increase cerebral blood flow is hypertension. This elevated blood pressure helps maintain brain perfusion during disrupted circulation caused by a stroke.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the acute phase of a stroke, the body often responds by trying to increase cerebral blood flow to compensate for decreased oxygen to the brain. The cardiovascular sign that a nurse would anticipate as the body's response to try to increase this blood flow is typically hypertension (Option 1). This is because an elevation of blood pressure can help maintain perfusion to the brain during the stroke event.

Orthostatic hypotension is a related concept where the blood pressure drops when a person stands up from lying down or sitting, often leading to dizziness or a 'head rush'. However, during a stroke, the body's immediate response would be to raise blood pressure to ensure vital brain areas continue receiving blood despite the impaired circulation.