Stroke Lingo
The inability to understand spoken or written language
What is aphasia?
A nurse caring for an immobilized stroke patient should implement interventions such as frequent repositioning, range-of-motion exercises, and compression devices to prevent this serious complication.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
This should be placed on stroke patients to watch for arrhythmias
What is telemetry?
This should be called for new BEFAST stroke symptoms
A patient suddenly develops an inability to understand spoken language but can hear sounds. This type of aphasia is suspected.
What is receptive (Wernicke's) aphasia?
What is hemiparesis?
This are done before the patient is first out of bed for ADLs
What is orthostatic vital signs?
This is the initial treatment for a stroke patient with a temperature of 37.5
What is tylenol and fan?
During a neuro assessment, the nurse asks the patient to squeeze both hands and push against resistance with their feet to evaluate this function.
What is motor strength?
A patient suddenly develops right-sided weakness and expressive aphasia. The most likely area of brain injury is this cerebral hemisphere.
What is the left cerebral hemisphere?
BEFAST is an acronym for these common stroke symptoms
What is Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time?
To optimize cerebral perfusion and reduce the risk of aspiration, the nurse should position the acute stroke patient with the head of the bed elevated to approximately this angle.
What is 30 degrees?
Stroke patients require oxygen supplementation if their SP02 is below this number
What is 95%?
During hourly neuro checks, the nurse notes increasing drowsiness, worsening headache, a rising systolic blood pressure, and bradycardia. These findings may indicate this serious complication.
What is increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Before administering tPA, the nurse must verify this diagnostic test has ruled out a hemorrhagic stroke.
What is a CT scan of the head?
The salvageable tissue surrounding the injured or infarcted area of the stroke
What is penumbra?
Before giving food, fluids, or oral medications to a stroke patient, the nurse should perform this assessment to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
What is a swallow screening or swallowing assessment?
This is why we allow permissive hypertension immediately following an ischemic stroke
What is blood perfusion?
A patient with a traumatic brain injury develops a blood pressure of 190/90, heart rate of 48, and irregular respirations during a neuro check. These findings are known as this.
What is Cushing's triad?
A patient with atrial fibrillation experiences an embolic stroke. This class of medications may be prescribed to reduce the risk of future strokes.
A problem that can occur after a hemorrhagic stroke in which the blood vessels narrow
What is vasospasm?
A stroke patient has right-sided weakness. To prevent injury and promote mobility, the nurse should encourage the patient to use this stronger side during transfers and activities.
What is the unaffected (left) side?
Vital signs need to be completed at this frequency for new stroke admits
What is on admission
then every two hours x2
then every 4 hours x5
then per unit standard?
During a neuro assessment, the nurse asks the patient to hold both arms straight out with palms up. One arm slowly drifts downward and pronates. This finding is called this.
What is pronator drift?
A patient with a left-sided stroke is frustrated because they know what they want to say but cannot form the words. This communication disorder is present.
What is expressive (Broca's) aphasia?
This term describes a "mini-stroke" in which neurological symptoms resolve within 24 hours and no permanent brain damage occurs.
What is transient ischemic attack
A patient with expressive aphasia becomes frustrated when unable to communicate. This nursing intervention is most appropriate.
What is allowing extra time for responses and using alternative communication methods?
During a neuro check, a patient has a BP of 210/110 but no signs of shock. In a stroke patient, the nurse should recognize this may occur as the body's attempt to maintain this.
What is cerebral perfusion?
A sudden decrease in respiratory rate and irregular breathing pattern during neuro assessments may indicate pressure on this part of the brain.
What is the brainstem?
This osmotic diuretic may be used to treat cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure following a severe stroke.
What is mannitol?