skip to main content

Stroke – Rehabilitation During Acute Illness — SCE Neurology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyNeurorehabilitationStroke – Rehabilitation During Acute IllnessSCE Neurology

A 65-year-old man with a left MCA ischaemic stroke has right hemiplegia and global aphasia. He is medically unstable with pneumonia and heart failure. The rehabilitation team is asked whether he should still receive rehabilitation. What is the correct approach?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Rehabilitation should continue as tolerated during acute illness, adapted to the patient's capacity — even bedside positioning, passive exercises, and family communication training are beneficial

NICE CG162 recommends that rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible after stroke and should continue throughout the acute phase, adapted to the patient's medical status. Even during acute illness, passive range-of-motion exercises (to prevent contractures), positioning (to prevent pressure injury and shoulder subluxation), SLT input (communication support, swallowing assessment), and family education are beneficial. The intensity can be adjusted to the patient's tolerance. A: Rehabilitation should not be fully deferred. C: All therapy disciplines contribute. D: Even severe strokes benefit from rehabilitation. E: Rehabilitation assessment should precede placement decisions.

Reference: NICE CG162 Stroke Rehabilitation (2013); RCP National Clinical Guideline for Stroke (2023)