Stroke Types and Causes
This type of stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain.
What is an ischemic stroke?
This common stroke symptom involves weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
What is hemiparesis?
This therapy aims to dissolve blood clots in patients with ischemic stroke and is most effective within 3 to 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
What is intravenous thrombolysis?
Following a stroke, patients are often at risk for this condition due to immobility or medication side effects.
What is constipation?
After a stroke, patients should be educated about this lifestyle change to reduce the risk of another stroke, particularly focusing on reducing the intake of saturated fats and cholesterol.
What is eating a heart-healthy diet?
This condition, commonly associated with atrial fibrillation or rheumatic fever, is a primary cause of ischemic stroke.
What is embolic etiology?
If a stroke affects this function, patients may experience difficulty speaking.
What is dysarthria?
A procedure to remove an occluding clot and restore blood flow in patients with ischemic stroke, most effective within 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset.
What is endovascular thrombectomy?
This screening is important after a stroke to ensure patients can swallow safely and avoid aspiration pneumonia.
What is dysphagia screening?
This key aspect of stroke patient education helps ensure that patients understand when to seek medical care, such as recognizing early signs of stroke or experiencing sudden changes in health.
What is recognizing stroke warning signs and symptoms?
Plaque formation due to this condition can lead to ischemic stroke by narrowing the arteries.
What is atherosclerosis?
A person who is unable to comprehend spoken words may be suffering from this type of aphasia.
What is receptive aphasia?
This scale is used to assess a patient's neurological function, including their level of consciousness, motor abilities, and speech, particularly after a stroke.
What is the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
This is the recommended time frame for initiating mobilization and rehabilitation in stroke patients.
What is 24 hours?
To prevent future strokes, patients should be educated on the importance of managing which conditions, that are often a key risk factors for stroke.
What is hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
These two lifestyle factors are significant risk factors for ischemic stroke, contributing to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
What are smoking and obestiy?
This symptom, suggesting increased intracranial pressure, may be accompanied by a headache and nausea.
What are visual disturbances?
In the first few days post-stroke, maintaining this slightly elevated vital sign helps to counteract vasoconstriction and restore cerebral perfusion.
What is permissive hypertension?
This complication is common after a stroke, particularly in patients who experience immobility or poor circulation, and nurses should monitor for it with regular assessments.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Nurses should screen stroke patients and their caregivers for this, as it may affect the patient’s quality of life and relationship dynamics after a stroke.
What is sexual concerns or changes in sexual function?
This condition, often referred to as a "mini-stroke," involves temporary neurological dysfunction caused by ischemia but without evidence of permanent infarction, with symptoms resolving within 24 hours.
What is a TIA?
This set of signs and symptoms are seen in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
What is sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, confusion, headaches and seizures.
This coordination test is performed to check for gait ataxia, where the patient is asked to walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other.
What is the tandem gait test?
In addition to physical complications, stroke patients often experience this emotional response, which nurses should screen for as part of ongoing care, especially in the acute phase.
What is depression?
Nurses should assess this aspect of care when a patient's family member or other loved one is primarily responsible for providing care post-stroke, to determine if they are experiencing stress or burnout.
What is caregiver strain?