Stroke Flashcards
What is a stroke?
Acute neurological deficit due to impaired blood flow to an area of the brain. Results in brain tissue injury .
What is a TIA? and symptoms
Transient ischemic attack. It precedes a thrombotic stroke and warns of impending ischemic stroke. Symptoms last between 1-24 hrs: impaired vision, headache, vertigo, problems with speech, weakness/numb/tingling
Thrombotic stroke?
Process of clot formation which results into narrowing of lumen/blocks passage of blood through the artery.
Embolic stroke?
Embolus is a blood clot/other debris that circulates in blood/reaches artery in brain that’s too narrow so it lodges there/blocks flow.
Hemorrhagic stroke?
Burst blood vessel may allow blood to seep into/damage brain tissues until clotting shuts off leaks.
Intracerebral hemorrhage?
Bleeding into brain tissue results b/c of sustained HTN
FAST test?
Face- drooping?
Arms- can you raise both?
Speech- is it slurred or jumbled?
T- call 911 right away
S+S of stroke?
It depends of what area of brain it affect. Numbness/weakness of face/arms, difficulty in balance/speech, loss of vision in one eye. Know LSN. Sudden dizziness/trouble walking and sudden severe headache.
Right brain damage?
Stroke on right side of brain= paralyzed left side, left side neglect, impaired judgement, impaired time concepts, and short attention span.
Left brain damage?
Stroke on left side of brain= impaired speech, paralyzed right side, slow performance, impaired right life discrimination, impaired comprehension- math, language
DX procedures for stroke?
CT scan of the head is the best
What to monitor for stroke?
Inadequate perfusion, decreased mobilty, sensory perception deficits, aphasia/dysarthria, oxygenation, serum glucose, blood pressure, ECGs
rTPA treatment?
Start within 4.5 hrs of onset of symptoms, can reduce stroke if it is within that period. Don’t give if they had a hemorrhagic stroke. This is a clot busting drug so it has high risk of bleeding.
Aspirin and anticoagulants?
As- used for patient with acute ischemic stroke/TIA, start within 48 hrs of onset. It reduces stroke mortality.
An- avoid for 24 hrs after rTPA treatment, used to prevent clots/prevent them from getting bigger
What is carotid stenosis?
Hardening/narrowing of artery which decreases blood flow to brain.
Ataxia?
Lack of muscle control/coordination.
What is dysarthria?
Slurred speech caused by paralysis and muscle weakness.
What is aphasia?
Problems with speech
Risk factors for strokes?
Smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and genetics.
Can altered LOC be a symptom of l-toxic or hypoglycemia instead of stroke?
Yes
What does last seen normal determine for a stroke patient?
Determines eligibility for thrombolytic therapy.
Nursing interventions to minimize risk for aspiration because of a stroke?
Assess swallowing ability, elevate HOB during/after meals, use thickened liquids if recommended. You need to assess their swallowing before giving anything by mouth.
Is protection of the airway the priority for a patient having an acute stroke?
Yes
