Signs & Symptoms
The stroke symptom I look for when assessing drift
What is:
Hemiplegia
Weakness on one side
What you call when you suspect your patient is having a stroke
What is:
Stroke Alert
What teaching method should we always include when educating patients and family?
What is:
Teach Back Method
A stroke symptom I assess for when listening to the patient's speech
What is:
Slurred and/or garbled speech
Expressive and/or global aphasia
Word finding issues
What you do if you're waiting for additional help to arrive and one of your other patients requests pain medication.
What is:
Ask another nurse for help
Do not leave stroke patient alone
A list that's important to reconcile and review with the patient and family prior to discharge
What is:
The medication list
The stroke symptom I assess for when asking the patient to smile
What is:
Facial droop
Change in facial symmetry
Three nursing interventions to perform when your patient is having a stroke
What is:
Vital signs
Complete comprehensive neuro assessment
Make patient NPO
Suction PRN
Place patient on cardiac monitor (Zoll)
Establish large bore IV (18g if possible)
Obtain accurate weight if none in past 24hrs
Maintain O2 SATs >94%
Telestroke if appropriate for your area
Consider notifying family
An acronym to teach the patient and family prior to discharge so they can recognize something is wrong
What is:
BEFAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
Two interventions I want to do if I notice my patient drooling
What is:
Make patient NPO
Have suction available
Monitor airway
Swallow screening
Raise the HOB
A condition that may mimic stroke symptoms and warrants checking the patient's blood sugar
What is:
Hypoglycemia
A site provided by Cleveland Clinic where I can find patient education materials on stroke
What is:
-Lippincott Advisor: Stroke
-Patient Education Handouts (Your Guide to Managing Stroke, Dysphagia Levels 1-3, Thickened Liquids)
-Lexicomp for medications
A stroke symptom I assess for with my penlight
What is:
Pupil changes and reactivity
One piece of important assessment data to know prior to administering tenecteplase per CCF PPM
What is:
Last Known Well (LKW)
Baseline vital signs and neuro status
Ensure BP < 185/110
Verify actual weight of patient
Where I document the discussion, I had with my patient on the booklet "Your Guide to Managing Stroke"?
What is:
Patient education section in Epic