Which term describes potential unwanted outcomes of the primary condition, such as paralysis following recovery from a stroke?

• A. Complications
• B. Sequelae
• C. Morbidity
• D. Mortality

Answer: (B)

Sequelae are the lasting aftereffects of a disease or injury that persist after the acute phase has resolved. In stroke, paralysis that remains after the initial recovery is a classic example because it’s a residual deficit caused by the brain injury, not something that happened during the illness or as a complication of treatment. Complications are problems that arise during the course of the illness or its management, not necessarily persistent after recovery. Morbidity refers to the overall burden or disability from disease on a population, and mortality means death. So the best term for these potential unwanted outcomes after the primary condition is sequelae.