A patient exhibits signs of stroke and reports loss of vision. Which area of the brain is most likely affected?

The occurrence of vision loss in a patient exhibiting signs of a stroke strongly suggests that the occipital lobe is compromised. The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information; thus, when it is affected by a stroke, individuals may experience various visual deficits, including partial or total loss of vision.

Damage to areas of the occipital lobe can lead to specific symptoms such as visual field cuts, where a person may lose vision in one quadrant or side of their visual field, or more complex visual processing issues. Since the question highlights loss of vision as a significant symptom, the involvement of the occipital lobe aligns directly with the neural pathways responsible for visual perception.

Other areas of the brain mentioned in the options are associated with different neurological functions. The brain stem controls vital functions such as heart rate and breathing; the hippocampus is crucial for memory formation; and the parietal lobe is involved in sensory perception and integration. While damage to these regions can lead to various deficits, they are not primarily linked to vision loss as is the occipital lobe. Therefore, the identification of the occipital lobe as the most likely affected area fits logically with the symptom of vision loss.