A 17-Year-Old Right-Handed Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department

question 689

Multiple Choice

A 17-year-old right-handed boy is brought to the emergency department due to brief loss of consciousness after colliding with another player during a football game.  The patient reports "fogginess" but has had no headache, vomiting, focal weakness or numbness, or seizures.  He has no other medical conditions and takes no medications.  Vital signs are within normal limits.  On physical examination, the patient demonstrates retrograde amnesia about the game but no focal neurologic deficits.  CT angiography of the head reveals no skull fractures or intracranial bleeding, but a small lesion in the left temporoparietal region composed of abnormal vascular channels is noted and is shown in the exhibit.   Without treatment of this abnormality, which of the following will most likely occur in this patient?

• A)Brain abscess
• B)Flaccid paralysis
• C)Malignant transformation
• D)Spontaneous hemorrhage
• E)Spontaneous resolution

---

Definitions:

Behavioral decision

Decisions made based on the observation and understanding of the behavior of individuals or groups, often in the context of behavioral economics or psychology.

Uncertain environments

describe situations or contexts in which there is a lack of clear information or predictability, making it difficult to make decisions or plan effectively.

Behavioral responses

The observable reactions or actions of an individual or group in response to external stimuli.

Existing patterns

Pre-established modes or paths of action that are typically followed within an organization or society.