CACI Exam prep Flashcards
What are 5 Non-modifiable risk factors for Cerebrovascular Disease?
Age (doubles each decade after 55) Gender (men>women) Ethnicity Family History Genetic predisposition
What are some Modifiable risk factors for Cerebrovascular Disease?
Smoking ETOH or drugs Obesity Cholesterol HTN Type 1 & 2 DM Heart disease AF Poor diet Sleep apnoea Lack of Exercise
With AF, what percentage of atrial kick do you lose?
You 30% of you kick/ejection fraction, causing blood to pool on valves. Risking a clot flicking off into the brain.
Paroxysmal AF alternates between AF and sinus rhythm
Regarding anti-platelet therapy -> What does an INR between 2-3 mean?
Blood is 2-3 times thinner than it was before. To prevent pooling and clotting. INR is tested when on warfarin and other blood thinners.
What are some common symptoms of a stroke?
Confusion. Facial droop. Slurred speech. Numbness in face/arm/leg. Weakness in face/arm/leg. Headache. Nausea and vomiting.
Right side brain strokes common symptoms?
Impulsive, left side neglect, short attention span
Left side brain stroke symptoms?
Language, Impaired speech, slow performance, depression and anxiety
What does F.A.C.E stand for in stroke?
Face - drooping?
Arms - can they lift both arms?
Speech - slurred, can they understand you?
Time - call 000, brain is minutes.
What are some diagnostic studies for suspected stroke patients?
CT scan MRI CT Angiography and perfusion (CTA/P) Chest x-ray (?aspiration) ECG Blood analysis Doppler ultrasonography Echocardiogram
What are the steps in managing an Ischaemic stroke?
- Call the stroke team
- Treat blood pressure if over 185/110 (After acute phase you want it around 130/__)
- Fluid and electrolyte balance with FB Chart (To avoid fluid overload)
- Ongoing monitoring: HR & BP
- Rest bed at 30 degrees (aspiration risk)
- Nil by mouth (Aspiration risk)
- Medication (Alteplase within 4.5hours)
- Other meds: Heparin, anticoags, statins, anti-hypertensives.
After an Ischaemic stroke how long do you have for Alteplase therapy and Endovasucular clot retrieval?
Alteplase = 4.5 hours
Clot retrieval = 8 hours
What is the desired blood pressure for Ichaemic stroke vs Haemorrhagic stoke?
After bleeding is controlled, you want the BP to remain higher in a Haemorrhagic stroke ~160mmHg (To maintain perfusion)
vs around 130mmHg in an Ischaemic stroke.
What are the steps in managing a Haemorrhagic stroke?
Call the stroke team Treat BP is over 160mmHg (maintain around 160) Ongoing monitoring (HR and BP) Monitor Intracranial pressure (ICP) RIB at 30 degrees Nil by mouth Medications: anticoag reversal (don't want them to bleed out if on Warfarin), seizure prevention, Nimodipine to reduce vasospasm. Surgery: Clipping and coiling
What are nursing interventions for stroke patients?
Close monitoring of BP for first 48 hours
Administer BP meds and evaluate
Measures to minimise ICP:
-Neutral head position
-Reduce hip flexion
-Distribute care to reduce stress on pt
Maintain temperature (can ^ through inflammatory process).
What is the Cushing’s Triad?
A physiological response to increased ICP (Intracrainial Pressure)
- Hypertension
- Bradycardia
- Irregular respirations