One stroke accounted for one in every six deaths in 2020 from cardiovascular disease. In the United States, a stroke occurs once every 40 seconds, according to the CDC. Nurses need to be aware of the pathophysiology, available treatments, potential side effects, and rehabilitation following a stroke in order to manage patients better and improve their outcomes. Throughout the recovery from a stroke, a knowledgeable nurse can enable patients and their families to take the initiative. This article will discuss how important awareness is and how nurses can handle stroke patients effectively.
Stroke definition
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is reduced or restricted, preventing the brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients. A stroke may cause fatality, severe disability, or permanent brain damage. In minutes, brain cells start to degenerate. A stroke is an urgent medical matter. Therefore, seeking assistance as soon as possible is crucial for a positive patient outcome. Brain damage and difficulties can be lessened with early intervention.
Nursing Assessment - Critical In Stroke Management
Nurses play a crucial role in identifying patients at risk of clinical deterioration by conducting continual observation and evaluations, taking prompt and appropriate action in response to changes in the patient's health state, and other tasks.
All stroke patients are subject to thorough and methodical physical examinations by nurses, who are also obligated to keep track of the body's temperature, blood pressure (BP), breathing effort (rate, patterns, and chest expansion), oxygen saturation, and mental status or degree of consciousness. For patients recovering from a stroke, evidence-based nursing treatment and continual assessment are required to minimize negative outcomes.
Regardless of whether the patient had reperfusion therapy, the nurse should continue to evaluate the patient on an individual basis. The patient's condition should be taken into account when determining how often assessments and observations are made.
Stroke Awareness
It is crucial to promote community education specifically focused on stroke. A stroke awareness campaign aims to increase public understanding of stroke risk factors, warning symptoms, and the appropriate course of action to take when they occur.
It may feel different from what you see to someone experiencing a stroke. What they might experience and what you might notice are described here.
Remember the acronym, B-E-F-A-S-T
Balance (LOSS OF CENTER)
Unsteady, stumbling, and unable to walk straight. Swaying, clutching onto a fixed object, and tripping over nothing.
Eyes (VISION CHANGES)
Vision blurriness or vision issues in one or both eyes, wiping eyes or squinting, unable to read
Face
The face has a drooping or uneven appearance on one side. Ask them to grin so you can look at their face. See if there is any facial drooping on one side.
Arms
Check for arm or leg weakness, particularly on one side of the body. Examine for difficulties performing simple chores, a desire to sit or lie down
Speech
There can be speaking difficulty or slurred speech. Unable to understand sentences and having trouble conversing.
Time
Even if any or all of these symptoms are not specific to stroke, if they are sudden and out of the norm, they may be signs of stroke and need to be treated at once.
All members of the healthcare team must work together to prevent further strokes, which includes treating the specific cause of the stroke and lowering the risk factors that can be changed to prevent future strokes (eg, hypertension and diabetes). In addition to encouraging a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, quitting smoking, and attending to social issues, the best secondary stroke prevention also involves these factors.
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