Stroke Basic Facts
TRUE!! especially in the 1st 3 months following a stroke. So make sure to put your SCDs on your patient!
Multiple Choice: What percentage of strokes are preventable?
A. None
B. 25%
C. 80%
D. All of them
C. 80%!
80% of strokes are actually preventable, the key is knowing what your personal risk factors are i.e DM, HTN, HLD, and making sure those risk factors are controlled
What are the two major types of stroke
Hemorrhagic and Ischemic
A previously stable ischemic stroke patient suddenly develops new slurred speech and worsening right‑arm weakness. What is your immediate action:
A. Reorient the patient and reassess later
B. Notify dietary
C. Activate a stroke alert/code stroke
D. Give PRN pain medication
Answer: C
these are new symptoms, call a Stroke Alert
What medical condition is the leading cause of strokes overall
High blood pressure (hypertension
What do the “B” and “E” in BEFAST stand for?
Balance and Eyes — to help identify posterior‑circulation strokes.
What heart rhythm disorder is the leading cause of cardioembolic stroke
Atrial fibrillation
A patient with a known ischemic stroke complains of “the worst headache of their life.”
A. Migraine
B. Dehydration
C. Hemorrhagic conversion
D. Sleep deprivation
C: Hemorrhagic Conversion
Approximately how many neurons are lost each minute a large‑vessel ischemic stroke goes untreated?
about 1.9 million neuros per MINUTE!
Name three modifiable risk factors for preventing stroke, we can teach our patients about
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Smoking
Diabetes
Atrial Fibrillation
What happens in a thrombotic stroke
A clot forms right in the brain artery and blocks it
A patient with a new ischemic stroke has failed their swallow exam. They have aspirin (ASA) ordered, but only as a PO medication. What is your next action as the nurse to make sure your patient still receives their ASA?
A. Give the ASA crushed in applesauce
B. Hold the ASA until the patient passes a repeat swallow screen
C. Call the provider to request a non‑oral route (e.g., rectal ASA)
D. Document the failed swallow screen but continue with PO meds
Correct Answer: C — Call the provider to request a non‑oral route (such as rectal ASA).
What is the key difference between a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and a stroke?
A TIA causes temporary symptoms without permanent brain injury.
Approximately what proportion of stroke survivors experience post‑stroke depression
up to 50% of our patients can experience this :(
What happens in an embolic stroke
A clot travels from somewhere else (often the heart) to the brain
Your new ischemic stroke patient has orders for Enoxaparin and SCDs. Which (or both) should you complete?
Complete both, given Enoxaparin when due and place SCDs. Stroke patients are at 3x greater risk for developing DVT or VTE.
If a patient has a forced gaze to the left, which side is the likely stroke
Left hemisphere (they “look toward the lesion”).
Target BP <130/80
What is a small‑vessel or “lacunar” stroke
A small‑vessel (lacunar) stroke is a type of ischemic stroke caused by blockage of one of the brain’s small, penetrating arteries, often due to chronic hypertension diabetes.. These strokes create small, deep infarcts typically found in the basal ganglia, thalamus, internal capsule, or pons.
Your patient arrives from the ED for a TIA. Per the report/documentation, the patient's symptoms had completely resolved and was back to baseline. Baseline the patient had no deficits. Patient arrives to the floor, with Right sided weakness, and inability to get words out. What is your next step?
Call a stroke alert.