Stroke Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What are the different types of stroke?

A

Heamorrhagic (15%)
Ischaemic (85%) :
- thrombotic (57%)
- embolic (16%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What can middle cerebral occlusion lead to?

A
Contralateral hemiplegia
Contralateral hemisensory loss
Hemianopia
Aphasia
Neglect and dressing dyspraxia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What assessment do the nurses need to carry out if they suspect a pt has had a stroke?

A

ABCDE
Assessment of consciousness
Pupil size and reaction to light
Motor and sensory function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do you determine if a pt need thrombolysis?

A

An urgent CT is required to determine type of stroke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What thrombolysis is given for ischaemic stroke?

A

If there are no contraindications, alteplase is given

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the window of opportunity to administer thrombolysis?

A

3-4.5 hours from onset of stroke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which pts are eligible for thrombolysis?

A

Pts with no intracerebral haemorrhage or other contraindications
Present within 3 hrs of known onset
Pts under 80 yrs if presenting within 3-4.5 hrs onset
Individual basis if between 3-6 hrs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How successful is thrombolysis?

A

Significantly reduces death and disability at 90 days

Effectiveness is greatest when given early

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What do hyper-acute stroke units consist of?

A
High quality stroke specialist nursing care
Critical care for enhanced monitoring
SALT
Dietician
Physio
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the treatment for pts post thrombolysis?

A

High intensity nursing for 24 hrs
Bed rest 24 hrs
Eat and drink if swallow test passed
BP =

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What should you do if a stroke pt deteriorates?

A

Contact the stroke team and rescan the pt

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What respiratory assessment should be undertaken on stroke pts?

A

Regular monitor RR, pattern and effort of breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why should you monitor stroke pts for signs of partial airway obstruction?

A

Transient obstruction is not uncommon during sleep

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is it important to monitor for hypercapnia?

A

It can act as a potent cerebral vasodilator and will increase cerebral blood flow and ICP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the National Stroke Strategy (DH, 2007)

A

It is the framework for development of stroke services
16 quality markers including:
- recognising and acting upon suspected stroke
- long term care

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How do you respiratory manage a stroke pt?

A

Change pts position
Encourage regular deep breathing
Encourage pt to cough

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the two situations when a pt blood pressure would be pharmalogically lowered after the acute stage of a stroke?

A

Administration of thrombolysis

Hypertensive emergency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

After a pt has had a intracerebral harmorrhage, when would their BP be reduced?

A

If SBP>180 mmHg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the usual BP for a pt post thrombolysis?

A

Must be

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

At what figure does the CPP need to be maintained at after a stroke?

A

> 70mmHg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is important to remember about fluids and electrolytes for a stroke pt?

A

Aim for normovolaemia and correct electrolytes
0.9% NaCl is fluid of choice
Avoid dextrose solutions in first 48 hrs

22
Q

At what temperature is a poor outcome likely in stroke pts?

A

> 37.5 degrees

23
Q

What is the ideal blood glucose range for a stroke pt within the first 24-48 hrs?

A

4-11 mmols

24
Q

What is important to remember about neurological deterioration in stroke pts?

A

It regularly occurs, can be subtle and insidious in onset

All pts are at risk

25
Q

What are the causes of neurological deterioration in stroke pts?

A

Cerebral oedema
Hydrocephalus
Heamorrhagic transformation
Stroke extension/recurrence

26
Q

What are the early signs of raised IVP following stroke?

A

Increasing drowsiness, agitation and restlessness
Increasing difficulty in achieving the same GCS results
Slight but gradual deterioration in limb function or GCS

27
Q

What is important to remember about stroke pts and seizures?

A

5% will have epileptic seizures

Most commonly focal but can have secondary generalisation

28
Q

Which stroke pts are eligible to recurve anti platelet drugs?

A

TIA and ischaemic strokes unless there are clear contraindications
The benefits outweigh the risks

29
Q

What anti platelet drugs are given to stroke pts?

A

Aspirin 300 mg daily for 2 weeks the clopidogrel 75 mg

30
Q

What are the functional impairments a pt suffered following a stroke?

A
Motor/sensory
Communication
Swallowing 
Continence
Cognition
Behaviour
31
Q

What is the percentage of pts who are affected by dysphagia?

A

64-90%

Swallowing should therefore be screened within 4 hours

32
Q

What happened if a stroke pt fails the swallow screening?

A

Refer to SALT
Keep pt NBM
NG feeding commenced within 24 hrs

33
Q

What is the nurse responsible for for a stroke pts suffering from dysphagia?

A

Pts ongoing assessment
Weight monitoring
Providing assistance at mealtimes
Management of alternative methods of feeding

34
Q

What communication difficulties can a stroke pt suffer with?

A

Dysarthria - impaired motor speech production
Receptive or expressive aphasia - impaired language skills resulting in difficulty in understanding or expressing language

35
Q

What are some specific strategies to help a stroke pt with speech?

A
Allow plenty of time to formulate a response
Closed questions
Other means of communication 
Picture boards
Encouragement and feedback
36
Q

What does correct positioning and early mobilisation of a stroke pt prevent?

A
Skin breakdown
Muscle spasticity
Chest infections
Shoulder pain
DVTs
37
Q

What is used to reduce the risk of DVTs in stroke pts?

A

IPC

38
Q

What is important to remember about incontinence with stroke pts?

A

40-60% suffer urinary incontinence
30% suffer faecal incontinence
It is often related to functional disability

39
Q

What are the priorities for a stroke pt following the hyperacute phase of a stroke?

A

Individualised secondary stroke prevention management plan
Implement an individualised rehab plan
Prepare pt and family for discharge from acute services

40
Q

What is important to remember about stroke recurrence risk?

A

26% within 5 yrs
39% within 10 yrs
Risk is highest in first month following stroke
Secondary prevention should be commenced asap

41
Q

What are the modifiable risk factors of a stroke?

A
Hypertension
Smoking
High cholesterol
Obesity
Diet
Diabetes
Alcohol
42
Q

What are the non-modifiable risk factors of a stroke?

A

Age
Race
Family history

43
Q

Why are anti hypertensive drugs given to stroke pts?

A

Reduce the risk of future stroke

Reduce risk of long term disability and cognitive decline

44
Q

What anti hypertensive drugs are given to stroke pts?

A

Initial therapy = calcium channel blockers or athiazide

ACE inhibitors added if needed

45
Q

When are stroke pts treated for their cholesterol?

A

When their cholesterol is >3.5 mmols

Treatment commenced after hyper acute stage

46
Q

When are anticoagulants given to a stroke pt?

A

Only used for caardiobolic ischaemic stroke pts who are at high risk of further stroke
Commenced 14 days post stroke

47
Q

What is important to remember about anticoagulants for stroke pts?

A

The risk of haemorrhage outweighs the benefits

48
Q

When can stroke pts have a carotid endarterectomy?

A

Candidates have carotid imaging within 1 week and surgery within 2 weeks of stroke

49
Q

Which stroke pts qualify as candidates for carotid endarterectomy?

A

Pts who are stable without severe neurological deficits following acute ischaemic stroke or TIA involving carotid artery territory

50
Q

What are cognition impairments following a stroke?

A
Memory
Executive functions
Language
Attention
Perception
51
Q

What are the nurses role in managing psychosocial aspects of a stroke?

A

Early involvement of family and friends in planning care pathways
Help to develop skills or strategies that can be accessed to deal with difficult situations
Prepare the pt for changes they face
Listen and provide solutions