A cerebral vascular accident results in a disruption of blood flow to which organ?

• A. Heart
• B. Brain
• C. Lungs
• D. Liver

Answer: (B)

A cerebral vascular accident, or stroke, specifically disrupts blood flow to the brain. The brain relies on a constant supply of oxygen and glucose carried by blood; when a stroke blocks or ruptures a cerebral vessel, neurons quickly run out of energy. This rapid energy failure leads to impaired ion gradients, cell swelling, and eventually neuronal death, producing sudden neurological deficits such as weakness, speech trouble, or vision changes. The other organs listed—the heart, lungs, and liver—each have their own typical causes and pathways of blood flow disruption, but a stroke is defined by its impact on the brain. So the organ affected by a cerebral vascular accident is the brain.