managing medication post stroke

Question 1

managing continence problems?

Answer 1

continence will be assessed and management
initiated by the specialist stroke team in secondary care.
- timed toileting, bladder retraining, pelvic floor
- UTI risk

Question 2

managing fatigue?

Answer 2

Assess for mental and physical factors that may contribute
treat reversible/ exacerbating factors

Question 3

managing oral health?

Answer 3

carry out mouth care at least 3x a day (in particular tube fed/dysphagia)
- brushing teeth and cleaning gums with
toothpaste and/or chlorhexidine dental gel, removing excess secretions, applying lip balm.

Question 4

managing cognitive function?

Answer 4

Consider screening all people with stroke and TIA for impairment

Question 5

managing mood and wellbeing?

Answer 5

consider depression in all people with stroke. If one mood disorder (such as depression) is identified, assess for others (such as anxiety).
- consider psychological intervention before medication

Question 6

managing communication issues?

Answer 6

• speech and language therapist

Question 7

managing swallowing, nutrition and hydration?

Answer 7

regularly monitor dietary intake and
nutritional status
- liquid food, tube feeding
- NG tube for meds

Question 8

occurrence of dysphagia post-stroke?

Answer 8

affects >50% of acute stroke patients
Can improve (within 2 weeks for most people) but can be longstanding

Question 9

how to manage medication in dysphagia?

Answer 9

crushing and dispersing - short term solution
switching formulations - injections are short term
resources to support