AEMCA Practice Exam

Which is a characteristic of structural coma?

1. Caused by metabolic disturbances

2. Results from brain injury or disease

3. Occurs during sleep

4. Only affects motor skills

The correct answer is: Results from brain injury or disease

A characteristic of structural coma relates closely to the impact of an injury or disease on the brain’s physical structure. This type of coma arises specifically when there is damage or an abnormality in the brain that disrupts its normal functioning, which can stem from traumatic injury, stroke, tumor, or other significant neurological conditions. The structural aspect is crucial, as it highlights that the underlying cause is attributable to identifiable physical changes within the brain itself. In comparison, other options point to different mechanisms or contexts that do not align with the concept of structural coma. For instance, metabolic disturbances often lead to a different kind of coma where chemical imbalances rather than structural damage are involved. Sleep, while it might involve altered consciousness, is a normal physiological state rather than a pathological condition like coma. Finally, while motor skills may be affected in various types of coma, defining coma merely by motor skill impairment overlooks the broader implications of altered consciousness and responsiveness that structural coma presents. Understanding this distinction helps clarify the specific nature and causes of structural coma itself.