What symptom is often observed in patients who are comatose after a stroke?

In patients who are comatose after a stroke, quadriplegia can be a significant symptom observed. This results from substantial neurological damage that impacts both hemispheres of the brain or the brainstem, leading to loss of motor function in all four limbs. Quadriplegia indicates a severe level of impairment, usually associated with extensive stroke injury, and reflects the disruption in the neural pathways responsible for motor control.

The presence of quadriplegia in comatose patients underscores the severity of the stroke they have experienced and the resulting impact on their nervous system. This symptom aligns with critical brain dysfunction, which can manifest in various ways, including loss of awareness and voluntary movement, which are characteristic features of a comatose state.