2. CVA Stroke Flashcards
Changes in consciousness Changes in sensation Loss of motor function (hemiparesis or hemiplegia) Changes in cognition Changes in perception Language changes
Symptoms of CVA
What must a CVA have to be sure of diagnosis?
Neurological defects lasting more than 24 hours
The extent of the brain injury
The collateral blood flow
Early and acute management of the stroke
Spontaneous reversal of brain swelling (3 weeks)
Type of stroke (thrombosis, embolus, or hemorrhage)
Artery affected (anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, basilar artery, etc)
Determine CVA recovery/severity
What is the fourth leading cause of death and the most common cause of disability among adults?
CVA
What would be your concern for a female patient that is in her late 80’s?
Increased stroke risk (women over 85)
What patient population has twice the risk of stroke? What are the statistics?
African Americans have 2 times risk than Caucasians
What population does incidence of stroke increase dramatically? What are the statistics?
Over 65 years of age (increased risk doubles)
Should a PTA be concerned that a stroke pt might have another one on their watch? Why/Why Not
Doesn’t happen often, but be cautious.l
- 5 - 14% of persons who survive an initial stroke will experience another one within 1 year.
Accounts for the largest number of deaths, with mortality rates of 37 – 38% at 1 month
Hemorrhagic Stroke
___ % of patients with CVA are ______ in a ______ _______.
26%; institutionalized; nursing home
A major contributory factor in cerebrovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis
______ ______ are the result of a thrombus, embolism, or conditions that produce _____ _____ perfusion pressures. The resulting lack of cerebral blood flow deprives the brain of needed oxygen and glucose,
disrupts cellular metabolism and leads to injury and death of tissues. A _____ results from platelet adhesions and aggregation on plaques.
Ischemic strokes; Low Systemic; Thrombus
A ______ ______ is composed of bits of matter (blood clot and plaque) formed elsewhere and released
into the bloodstream, traveling to the cerebral arteries where they lodge in a vessel, produce occlusion and
infarction.
Cerebral Embolus
_____ _____ may also result from low systemic perfusion, the result of cardiac failure or significant blood loss with resulting systemic hypotension. The neurological deficits produced with systemic failure are _____ in
nature with _______ neurological deficits.
Ischemic Strokes; Global; Bilateral
_____ _____ that cause abnormal bleeding into the brain are a result of a ruptured vessel or trauma.
A _____ _____ is usually the cause…
Hemorrhagic Stroke; Cerebral Aneurysm
_____ _____ occurs from bleeding into the subarachnoid space typically from a saccular or
_____ aneurysm affecting large blood vessels. ______ defects that produce weakness in the blood vessel
wall are major contributing factors to the formation of an aneurysm. ______ is closely linked to chronic
______.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Berry; Hemorrhage; Hypertension
- Hypertension (increased risk = 6X for patients with a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or more)
• Heart Disease (elevated total cholesterol (240 mg/dL) and high LDLs (borderline high
130 – 159 mg/dL and high (160 – 189 mg/dL), additionally patients with marked elevations of hematocrits are at risk of occlusive stroke)(Cardiac disorders such as rheumatic heart valvular disease, endocarditis, or cardiac surgery will increase the risk of
embolic stroke)(Atrial fibrillation will increase the risk of stroke 5X) - Diabetes (uncontrolled)
- Sleep apnea
Major Risk Factors of Stroke
- Quit smoking (smokers have a 2 – 4 X ↑ risk of stroke)
- Lose weight
- Start exercising (active patients have a 35% ↓ risk of stroke)
- Watch what you eat – decrease transfats, reduce animal fats.
- Watch your alcohol consumption. Women, 1 glass a day of wine is good. For men, 2 glasses a day is okay….. more than that is excessive.
Modifiable Risk Factors (pt education)
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on
one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headaches with no known cause.
• sudden nausea, fever, and vomiting – distinguished from a viral
illness by the speed of onset (minutes or hours vs. several days)
• Brief loss of consciousness or a period of decreased consciousness.
Early Warning Signs of CVA
With symptoms of a CVA, a patient should __ _______ __ ___ ________ _____. If an ER physician determines that the stroke is ischemic in nature, they
can give a clot busting drug (____) within ______ after the event.
***recommendations haves up to _____
Immediately to the emergency room; t-PA; 3 hours; 4.5 hours