Cerebrovascular Accidents Flashcards
1
Q
Stroke or CVA
A
- sudden onset of neurological symptoms due to a disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain
- 3rd leading cause of death in USA
2
Q
Anoxia
A
- Can cause the brain tissue death within a few minutes
3
Q
Ischemia CVA
A
- 70% of strokes
- Thrombus or Embolus
4
Q
Thrombus
A
- Ischemia CVA
- Frequently caused by atherslcorosis which is plaque built up inside the vessel walls.
- Result in hypoxic event
- 100% occlusion = cerebral infart (Brain death)
5
Q
Embolus
A
- Ischemia CVA
- Blood clot from artery breaks away and sticks in the brain
- Cell death occurs (irreversible)
- Sudden onset
- Clot: dissolving drugs can be successful if administered in the first 3 hours
6
Q
Hemorrhagic
A
- CVA
- Ruptured vessels, 20% of strokes
- Intercerebral Hemorrhage
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Arteriovenous Malformations
7
Q
Inercerebral Hemorrhage
A
- Usually hypertension, and age generated
8
Q
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
A
- Bleeding that fills the subarachnoid space
9
Q
- Arteriovenous Malformations
A
- Congenital abnormalities (arteries and veins directly connected, then swell over time until they rupture)
10
Q
TIA
A
- Transient Ischemic Attack
- A temporary interruption on the blood supply to part of the brain
- Most symptoms last less than 5 min, all resolve completely within 24 hours
- Prompt medical attention is necessary, but seldom sought
- 36% of pt’s who have TIA’s will have CVA
11
Q
Warning signs of CVA
A
“SYMPTOMS SHOULD NEVER BE IGNORED”
- Sudden blurred vision or decreased vision in one eye
- Numbness or weakness in face, arm and/or leg on one side
- Severe headache and/or dizziness
- Difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said
- Mental confusion
12
Q
Stoke Screening
A
- S.T.R.O.K.E “Acronym”
S: Ask pt to smile
(Smile should be symmetrical)
T: Ask the pt to TALK (repeat a simple sentence)
(Should be repeated accurately and coherently)
R: Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS
(Should be symmetrical unless the person has had prior orthopedic problems)
O: Ask the pt to OPEN their mouth and stick out their tongue.
(Tongue should be centered without deviation)
KE: KALL EMERGENCY
(If the pt has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency # immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher
13
Q
CVA Risk Factors
A
- Heart Disease
- High Blood pressure (increases risk 4-6 times)
- Cholesterol > 200
- Smoking
- History of TIA
- Gender (Men at slightly higher risk)
- Race (higher in African Americans)
- Obesity
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Diabetes
- Age (65% occur in people > age 65)
- Lack of exercise
- Birth control pills (due to blood thickening and increased blood pressure)
14
Q
Prognosis of CVA
A
- Fast recovery = more favorable prognosis
- 10-15% have excellent recovery
- 10-15% Die
- 75-85% Return Home
15
Q
MVA Prognosis
A
- Typically improve more than other deficits
- Communication, sensory, cognition harder to recover
