Karl has had a stroke caused by ischemia. His doctors attempted to minimize damage due to the stroke by administering a drug that ____.
A) breaks up blood clots
B) overstimulates neurons in and around the damaged area
C) increases the release of glutamate
D) slows down the sodium-potassium pump

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ischemia is a condition where brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to blocked blood supply. Administering a drug that breaks up blood clots (thrombolytic drugs) can help restore blood flow and minimize damage to the brain cells. Choices B, C, and D can worsen the damage caused by ischemia. Overstimulating neurons can lead to excitotoxicity, increasing glutamate release can cause more damage to brain cells, and slowing down the sodium-potassium pump can disrupt the balance of ions inside and outside the cells, leading to cell death.

Karl Has Had a Stroke Caused by Ischemia