Treatment FAQ

for a stroke patient, what is the most important treatment priority?

by Nasir Tremblay Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Symptoms

D: Maintenance of respiratory function with a patent airway and oxygen administration- the first priority in acute management of the patient with a stroke is preservation of life.

Causes

Because the patient with a stroke may be unconscious or have a reduced gag reflex, it is most important to maintain a patent airway for the patient and provide oxygen if respiratory effort is impaired. IV fluid replacement, treatment with osmotic diuretics, and perhaps hypothermia may be used for further treatment.

Prevention

During the acute phase of a stroke, the nurse assesses the patient's vital signs and neurologic status every 4 hours. A cardiovascular sign that the nurse would see as the body attempts to increase cerebral blood flow is:

Complications

If you have had a stroke, you are at high risk for another stroke: That’s why it’s important to treat the underlying causes of stroke, including heart disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (fast, irregular heartbeat), high cholesterol, and diabetes.

What is the first priority in acute management of a stroke?

What are the treatment options for stroke victims?

What is the nurse's role during the acute phase of stroke?

Why is it important to treat the underlying causes of stroke?

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What is the most important treatment for a stroke patient?

An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first three hours.

What is the initial priority in assessment of a suspected stroke patient?

4.1 Initial ED Evaluation Patients with suspected acute stroke should have a rapid initial evaluation for airway, breathing and circulation [Evidence Level A]. A neurological examination should be conducted to determine focal neurological deficits and assess stroke severity [Evidence Level A].

Why is immediate medical care important for stroke victims?

Stroke patients who are taken to the hospital in an ambulance may get diagnosed and treated more quickly than people who do not arrive in an ambulance. This is because emergency treatment starts on the way to the hospital.

What is the most common treatment for stroke 1 point?

Blood thinners are the most common treatment for stroke. Blood thinners are used to treat acute stroke. The ''clotbuster'' drug used in emergency settings is called alteplase (Activase), also referred to as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator).

What are priority care considerations when providing nursing care to a stroke patient?

The major nursing care planning goals for the patient and family may include:Improve mobility.Avoidance of shoulder pain.Achievement of self-care.Relief of sensory and perceptual deprivation.Prevention of aspiration.Continence of bowel and bladder.Improved thought processes.Achieving a form of communication.More items...•

What are the steps of emergency care for a stroke patient?

Three Things to Do When Someone Is Having a StrokeCall 911 immediately. ... Note the time you first see symptoms. ... Perform CPR, if necessary. ... Do not let that person go to sleep or talk you out of calling 911. ... Do not give them medication, food, or drinks. ... Do not drive yourself or someone else to the emergency room.More items...•

What is the priority intervention in the emergency department for the patient with a stroke?

For stroke patients who meet certain criteria, thrombolytic therapy to break down blood clots is the primary treatment option. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), the most frequently used thrombolytic, is a protein that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, the major enzyme that breaks down clots.

Why is stroke care important?

Effective treatment of stroke can prevent long-term disability and save lives. The specific treatments recommended depend on whether a stroke is caused by: a blood clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain (ischaemic stroke) bleeding in or around the brain (haemorrhagic stroke)

What are 3 treatments for a stroke?

Stroke treatmentClot-breaking drugs. Thrombolytic drugs can break up blood clots in your brain's arteries, which will stop the stroke and reduce damage to the brain. ... Mechanical thrombectomy.Stents. ... Surgery. ... Medications. ... Coiling. ... Clamping. ... Surgery.

What is the most common treatment for stroke Mcq?

Explanation: Blood thinners are the most common treatment for stroke.

Which of the following could be used as a treatment for a stroke if given early in the disease progression?

The main very early treatments for ischemic stroke are: Thrombolytic therapy – This involves giving a medication called alteplase (also known as tPA, for "tissue plasminogen activator"), or a similar medication called tenecteplase, by IV (through a vein).

What is the priority assessment for stroke?

The initial nursing assessment of the patient with stroke after admission to the hospital should include evaluating the patient's vital signs, particularly oxygen saturation, BP, and temperature, in addition to measuring blood glucose and performing a bedside dysphagia screen/assessment.

What are the 8 DS of stroke care?

Currently, the stroke chain of survival for the management of acute stroke comprises the following 8 steps (the "8Ds"): detection (D1), dispatch (D2), delivery (D3), door (D4), data (D5), decision (D6), drug/device (D7), and disposition (D8).

What are three signs of a stroke?

What are the signs of stroke in men and women?Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.More items...•

What is the time goal for neurological assessment by the stroke team or designee?

A neurologic assessment by the stroke team or designee should be done within 20 minutes of patient arrival to the ED.

How to evaluate stroke care?

One way to evaluate the care of patients diagnosed with stroke is to look at the percentage of patients receiving the timely and effective care measures that are appropriate. The goal is 100 percent.

How to reduce risk of stroke?

To decrease your risk of having another stroke or transient ischemic attack, your doctor may recommend a procedure to open up an artery that's narrowed by plaque. Options vary depending on your situation, but include:

What is the most common type of stroke?

The most common type of stroke – ischemic – is when a blood vessel is blocked and not enough blood flows to the brain. "Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.".

How to deliver tpa to brain?

Medications delivered directly to the brain. Doctors insert a long, thin tube (catheter) through an artery in your groin and thread it to your brain to deliver tPA directly where the stroke is happening. The time window for this treatment is somewhat longer than for injected tPA, but is still limited.

How does TPA help with stroke?

This drug restores blood flow by dissolving the blood clot causing your stroke. By quickly removing the cause of the stroke, it may help people recover more fully from a stroke. Your doctor will consider certain risks, such as potential bleeding in the brain, to determine if tPA is appropriate for you.

How long do you have to be monitored after a stroke?

After emergency treatment, you'll be closely monitored for at least a day. After that, stroke care focuses on helping you recover as much function as possible and return to independent living. The impact of your stroke depends on the area of the brain involved and the amount of tissue damaged.

What tests are needed for stroke?

That means you'll have a CT scan or other imaging test soon after arrival. Doctors also need to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a brain tumor or a drug reaction.

What is the priority for an ischemic stroke patient?

One of your main priorities with an ischemic stroke patient is their blood pressure. Typically, the physician will order their blood pressure to be higher than normal. ( Why would I ever want my new patient’s blood pressure to be 190/85!?)

Why do people go to intensive care for strokes?

Sometimes they have to go to intensive care to get frequent neuro checks and vasoactive drips to keep it high enough to preserve that part of their brain. We want to prevent the stroke from getting worse.

What is neuro wise?

Neuro Wise - A Crash Course for New Neuro Nurses from FreshRN® is your one-stop ultimate resource and online course , crafted specifically for brand new neuro nurses. If you want to get ahead of the game so instead of merely surviving orientation, you’re thriving all the way through from day one to day done - this is the course for you.

What is the first thing to change in a neuro exam?

If something is changing in their brain, the level of consciousness/mental status is usually the first thing to change.

Can patients get upset with NPO?

Then speech came around and said they were aspirating and needed a modified diet. No matter how well you explain it, some patients will still be upset with you. However, their safety is our priority.

Can stroke patients swallow?

Make sure they’ve had a swallow/dysphagia screen before you give them oral intake. A common problem with stroke patients is swallowing. The epiglottis, which is that flap that goes over your trachea and esophagus, can be compromised. This means they can get aspiration pneumonia quite easily (“down the wrong pipe”).

What is the priority in acute management of the patient with a stroke?

D: Maintenance of respiratory function with a patent airway and oxygen administration- the first priority in acute management of the patient with a stroke is preservation of life. Because the patient with a stroke may be unconscious or have a reduced gag reflex, it is most important to maintain a patent airway for the patient and provide oxygen if respiratory effort is impaired. IV fluid replacement, treatment with osmotic diuretics, and perhaps hypothermia may be used for further treatment.

What is the highest priority for a stroke patient?

Monitoring weight and activity is important, but the highest priority is monitoring the blood pressure. This is a modifiable risk factor that, when controlled, will decrease the risk of stroke.

What is anaxia in a stroke?

ANS: A. Ataxia is a gait disturbance. For the clients safety, he or she should have assistance and use a gait belt when ambulating. Ataxia is not related to swallowing, aspiration, or voiding. The priority intervention in the emergency department for the patient with a stroke is. a. intravenous fluid replacement.

What is the first step in providing oral feedings for a patient with a stroke?

a. check the patient's gag reflex - the first step in providing oral feedings for a patient with a stroke is ensuring that the patient has an intact gag reflex because oral feedings will not be provided if gag reflex is impaired.

Why is it important to evaluate a stroke patient?

Evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of the neurologic deficit and provide prophylactic treatment if possible. the family of a client diagnosed with a stroke asks the nurse if this health problem is very common. The nurse should respond that in the United States a person has a stroke every: a. 40 seconds.

How long after stroke should you start feeding?

Four days following a stroke, a patient is to start oral fluids and feedings. Before feeding the patient, the nurse should first

Why is it important to maintain a patent airway for the patient?

Because the patient with a stroke may be unconscious or have a reduced gag reflex, it is most important to maintain a patent airway for the patient and provide oxygen if respiratory effort is impaired. IV fluid replacement, treatment with osmotic diuretics, and perhaps hypothermia may be used for further treatment.

What is the primary cause of hemorrhagic stroke?

Uncontrolled hypertension is the primary cause of a hemorrhagic stroke. Control of hypertension, especially in individuals over 55 years of age, clearly reduces the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Additional risk factors are increased age, male gender, and excessive alcohol intake. Another high-risk group includes African Americans, where the incidence of first stroke is almost twice that as in Caucasians.

Why is a patient placed on immediate and absolute bed rest in a quiet, nonstressful environment?

The patient is placed on immediate and absolute bed rest in a quiet, nonstressful environment because activity, pain, and anxiety elevate BP, which increases the risk for bleeding. Visitors are restricted. The nurse administers all personal care.

What action should the nurse perform to best prevent joint deformities?

What action should the nurse perform to best prevent joint deformities?#N#A) Place the patient in the prone position for 30 minutes/day.#N#B) Assist the patient in acutely flexing the thigh to promote movement.#N#C) Place a pillow in the axilla when there is limited external rotation.#N#D) Place patients hand in pronation.

What is the earliest sign of deterioration in a patient after a hemorrhagic?

Alteration in LOC is the earliest sign of deterioration in a patient after a hemorrhagic stroke, such as mild drowsiness, slight slurring of speech, and sluggish papillary reaction. Sudden headache may occur, but generalized pain is less common. Seizures and shortness of breath are not identified as early signs of hemorrhagic stroke.

How long should a patient be in a prone position?

If possible, the patient is placed in a prone position for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day. A small pillow or a support is placed under the pelvis, extending from the level of the umbilicus to the upper third of the thigh. This helps to promote hyperextension of the hip joints, which is essential for normal gait, and helps prevent knee and hip flexion contractures. The hip joints should not be maintained in flexion and the Trendelenberg position is not indicated.

Is cerebral perfusion a priority?

However, promoting cerebral perfusion is a priority physiologic need, on which the patients survival depends.

Can you use enemas for a stroke patient?

No enemas are permitted, but stool softeners and mild laxatives are prescribed. Thigh-high elastic compression stockings or sequential compression boots may be ordered to decrease the patients risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke.

What is the priority of a stroke patient?

The first priority in acute management of the patient with a stroke is the preservation of life. Because the patient of a stroke may be unconscious or have a reduced gag reflex, it is most important to maintain a patent airway for the patient ...

How often do nurses assess vital signs during stroke?

During the acute phase of a stroke, the nurse assesses the patient's vital signs and neurologic status every 4 hours. What is a cardiovascular sign that the nurse would see as a body attempts to increase cerebral blood flow?

How long after stroke should you use plasminogen activator?

It is not used with hemorrhagic strokes. If the patient had a thrombotic or embolic stroke, the timeframe of 3 to 4.5 hours after onset of clinical signs of the stroke would be important as well as a history of surgery. The nurse should answer the question as accurately as possible and then encourage the wife to talk with the physician if she has further questions.

What is the first step in providing oral feedings for a patient with a stroke?

The first step in providing oral feedings for a patient with a stroke is ensuring that the patient has an intact gag reflex because oral feedings will not be provided if the gag reflex is impaired. After placing the patient in an upright position, the nurse should then evaluate the patient's ability to swallow ice chips or ice water.

What happens to the family after a stroke?

Frustration and depression are common in the first year after a stroke. A stroke is usually a sudden, extremely stressful event for the patient, caregiver, family, and significant others. The family is often affected emotionally, socially, and financially as their roles and responsibilities change.

How does the body respond to vasospasm and decreased circulation to the brain that occurs with a stroke?

The body responds to the vasospasm and decreased circulation to the brain that occurs with a stroke by increasing the BP, frequently resulting in hypertension. The other options are important cardiovascular factors to assess but they do not result from impaired cerebral blood flow.

Where should food be placed in a stroke patient?

Place food in the left side of patient's mouth. a. Safety measures. A patient with a right-sided stroke has spatial-perceptual deficits, tends to minimize problems, has a short attention span, is impulsive, and may have impaired judgment.

What is the priority intervention in the emergency department for the patient with a stroke?

The priority intervention in the emergency department for the patient with a stroke is: Maintenance of respiratory function with a patent airway and oxygen administration- (the first priority in acute management of the patient with a stroke is preservation of life.

How often do nurses assess vital signs during stroke?

During the acute phase of a stroke, the nurse assesses the patient's vital signs and neurologic status every 4 hours. A cardiovascular sign that the nurse would see as the body attempts to increase cerebral blood flow is:

What is the purpose of removing plaque in the carotid artery?

Involves removing an atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery to prevent an impending stroke- (An endarterectomy is a removal of an atherosclerotic plaque, and plaque in the carotid artery may impair circulation enough to cause a stroke. A carotid endarterectomy is performed to prevent a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), as are most other surgical procedures. An extacranial-intracranial bypass involves cranial surgery to bypass a sclerotic intacranial artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty uses a balloon to compress stenotic areas in the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries and often includes inserting a stent to hold the artery open.)

What is the highest risk factor for thrombotic stroke?

Tap card to see definition 👆. Individuals with hypertension and diabetes. The highest risk factors for thrombotic stroke are hypertension and diabetes. African Americans have a higher risk for stroke than do white persons but probably because they have a greater incidence of hypertension.

How to distract a patient with left brain damage?

Distract the patient from inappropriate emotional responses- (patients with left-sided brain damage from stroke often experience emotional lability, inappropriate emotional responses, mood swings, and uncontrolled tears or laughter disproportionate or out of context with the situation. The behavior is upsetting and embarrassing to both the patient and the family, and the patient should be distracted to minimize its presence. Patients with right-brain damage often have impulsive, rapid behavior that supervision and direction.)

Why is a lumbar puncture not performed?

Lumbar punctures are not performed routinely because of the chance of increased intracranial pressure causing herniation.

Why is it important to maintain a patent airway for the patient?

Because the patient with a stroke may be unconscious or have a reduced gag reflex, it is most important to maintain a patent airway for the patient and provide oxygen if respiratory effort is impaired. IV fluid replacement, treatment with osmotic diuretics, and perhaps hypothermia may be used for further treatment.)

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Karthikeya T M
Symptoms
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

As different parts of brain control different parts of the body, symptoms will depend on the part of brain affected and the extent of damage.

The main symptoms are:

  • Paralysis or numbness or inability to move parts of The face, arm, or leg - particularly on one side of The body
  • Confusion- including trouble with speaking
  • Headache with vomiting
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Metallic taste in mouth
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Trouble in walking (impaired coordination)
  • Dystonia
  • Alexia
  • Agnosia

Causes

Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain.

  • Stroke occurs when blood supply to brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives oxygen and nutrients supplied to the brain, causing brain cells to die.

Stroke may be caused by the following:

  • Ischaemic stroke: The obstruction to blood flow is usually due to a thrombus or an embolism within The blood vessel
  • Haemorrhagic stroke: Haemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that follows bleeding in The brain
  • Haemorrhagic stroke: Haemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that follows bleeding in The brain
  • Transient Ischaemic attack: TIA is caused by same conditions that cause an Ischaemic stroke like thrombosis, embolism, or other conditions like arterial dissection, arteries or hypercoagulable states. TIA does not leave lasting symptoms because blockage is temporary
  • The risk factors include:
  • Overweight
  • Sedentary life
  • Binge Drinking
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Family history of stroke
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Age - people above age 55 are at higher risk
  • Gender - men are at high risk of stroke than women

Prevention

Many stroke prevention strategies are the same as the strategies to prevent heart disease. In general some preventive tips for stroke patients are follows:

  • Diet and healthy eating: Following a proper diet may avoid the risk of second stroke.
  • Decreasing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.
  • Controlling Diabetes
  • Monitoring blood pressure: As high blood pressure exerts continuous pressure on the walls of the arteries it may lead to arterial block.
  • Avoiding illicit drugs
  • Exercising: Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.
  • Quit smoking and alcohol.

Complications

Stroke may lead to severe complications:

  • Paralysis or loss of muscle movement: Patient may become paralyzed on one side of the body, or lose control of certain muscles, such as those on one side of face or one arm
  • Difficulty in talking or swallowing
  • Memory loss or thinking difficulties: It also affects thinking, making judgments, reasoning and understanding concepts
  • Emotional problems: stroke survivors may develop depression
  • Changes in behavior and self-care ability: Stroke survivor may become more withdrawn and less social or more impulsive. They may need help with grooming and daily chores

Treatment Outcomes

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