Which deficit is typical of a left hemisphere stroke?

• A. Right-Sided Weakness and Aphasia
• B. Left-Sided Weakness and Neglect
• C. Bilateral Sensory Loss
• D. Visual Field Deficits Only

Answer: (A)

Left hemisphere strokes commonly disrupt language centers, because, for most people, language functions are located in the left hemisphere. When those areas are damaged, aphasia can occur, causing trouble with speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. At the same time, motor pathways cross to the opposite side, so injury in the left hemisphere often produces weakness on the right side of the body. This combination—right-sided weakness with language impairment—is the typical presentation for a left hemisphere stroke.

If weakness is left-sided or if neglect is present, that pattern points toward a right hemisphere stroke. Bilateral sensory loss isn’t the classic single-hemisphere pattern, and visual field deficits can occur with various stroke locations but aren’t the hallmark of a left-hemisphere stroke.