What condition can result from edema after a stroke?

• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Intracranial pressure
• C. Increased respiratory rate
• D. Dehydration

Answer: (B)

Edema after a stroke increases intracranial pressure because the skull is a fixed, closed space and swelling adds volume that the brain cannot accommodate. The Monroe-Kellie balance—brain tissue, blood, and CSF occupying a constant volume—means that when edema raises brain volume, pressure inside the skull goes up, potentially compromising blood flow and risking brain herniation. Both cytotoxic edema (cell swelling from energy failure) and vasogenic edema (fluid leakage across a damaged blood–brain barrier) contribute to this swelling after a stroke, often peaking within the first days. The key consequence is intracranial hypertension, which can worsen neurologic injury if not managed. Hypoglycemia isn’t caused by edema, increased respiratory rate isn’t a direct result of brain swelling, and dehydration would not explain the elevated intracranial pressure.