Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

A stroke is commonly defined as a sudden loss of blood flow to the brain, which can lead to varying degrees of impairment depending on the severity and duration of the lack of blood supply. When blood flow is interrupted, brain cells begin to die within minutes due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in potential loss of functions controlled by the affected area of the brain. This can manifest in symptoms such as difficulty speaking, paralysis, altered mental status, and other neurological deficits. The other options describe different medical conditions. A slow deterioration of cognitive function is characteristic of conditions like dementia, not a stroke. A chronic disease affecting the lungs refers to respiratory disorders such as COPD or asthma, which are unrelated to stroke. An acute pain condition can refer to various health issues that cause sudden pain but does not align with the definition of a stroke. Thus, the definition appropriately focuses on the acute nature of a stroke related to blood flow disruption.