Which symptom is most consistent with stroke in pregnancy?

Which symptom is most consistent with stroke in pregnancy?

• A. Sudden onset focal neurologic deficit such as unilateral weakness
• B. Gradual onset back pain
• C. Intermittent nasal congestion
• D. Chronic headaches without deficits

Answer: (A)

An abrupt, focal neurologic change signals a stroke; in pregnancy, sudden unilateral weakness is a classic sign because it shows a sudden disruption in a specific brain area. This makes it the best indicator among the options. The other possibilities reflect non-acute or non-neurologic issues—gradual back pain isn’t a sudden brain event, intermittent nasal congestion is unrelated to stroke, and chronic headaches without deficits do not indicate an acute cerebrovascular event. If such sudden neurologic symptoms occur, it’s an emergency requiring immediate evaluation and imaging.

An abrupt, focal neurologic change signals a stroke; in pregnancy, sudden unilateral weakness is a classic sign because it shows a sudden disruption in a specific brain area. This makes it the best indicator among the options. The other possibilities reflect non-acute or non-neurologic issues—gradual back pain isn’t a sudden brain event, intermittent nasal congestion is unrelated to stroke, and chronic headaches without deficits do not indicate an acute cerebrovascular event. If such sudden neurologic symptoms occur, it’s an emergency requiring immediate evaluation and imaging.