Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

In a patient with hyperthermia after a CVA, what is the consequence on the risk of infarct extension?

1. It reduces the risk

2. It greatly increases the risk

3. It has no effect

4. It can stabilize the condition

The correct answer is: It greatly increases the risk

In hyperthermia following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), the body experiences elevated temperatures, which can exacerbate the metabolic demands of the brain and lead to increased neuronal injury. This heightened temperature can cause the already compromised brain tissue to be more vulnerable to ischemic damage, leading to infarct extension. The inflammatory process is also influenced by elevated temperatures, which can further promote damage and increase the likelihood of additional areas becoming ischemic. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in a setting like a CVA, where blood flow to part of the brain is already impaired. The combination of metabolic stress from hyperthermia and pre-existing ischemia significantly elevates the risk of worsening the condition, making it critical for healthcare providers to manage body temperature in stroke patients. Thus, the consequence of hyperthermia in a post-CVA patient is that it greatly increases the risk of infarct extension, solidifying the importance of vigilant temperature management in these cases.