An older adult arrives at the emergency department with a probable diagnosis of a hemorrhagic stroke.The nurse understands,based on the patient's age,that the most likely cause is which one of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hemorrhagic strokes are primarily caused by uncontrolled hypertension and less often by malformations of the blood vessels (e.g.,aneurysms).Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood,it appears that chronic hypertension causes a thickening of the vessel wall,microaneurysms,and necrosis.When enough damage to the vessel accumulates,it is at risk for rupture.The spontaneous rupture may be large and acute or small with a slow leak of blood into the adjacent brain tissue.In many cases,blood ruptures or seeps into the ventricular system of the brain with damage to the affected tissue through necrosis or death of brain tissue.
Hemorrhagic strokes are more life threatening but occur less frequently than ischemic strokes.Decreased cardiac output does not cause this type of hemorrhage.A thrombosis is not related to this type of hemorrhage.

An Older Adult Arrives at the Emergency Department with a Probable