Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families

Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families

Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families

A stroke results from an area of the brain being deprived of oxygen due to either a blockage or a hemorrhage (CDC, 2022). This leads to cell death and results in diminished or lost functioning in that area of the brain. The characteristic findings of a stroke depend on which area of the brain is affected (CDC, 2022). Often times it presents as weakness on one side of the body, including the face or limbs (Falkner, 2018). Other common characteristics include garbled speech or difficulty understanding speech, severe headache, vision changes, or lack of coordination. These symptoms may diminish or resolve if blood flow is restored promptly (Falkner, 2018). However, some effects of the stroke may be permanent. While experiencing a stroke may be scary for a patient, the recovery period can also be very emotionally distressing for the patient and their families as well. They may be dealing with a loss of their normal functioning and are unsure if it will be restored. They may also worry about their abilities to walk, drive, return to work, or even live independently (Falkner, 2018). A stroke presents a significant life change for a patient and their family and can cause a great deal of emotional and psychological distress.

As recovering from a stroke can be a very difficult time for the patient and their family as they begin to adjust to these changes and undergo therapy to help restore function. It is important for nurses to keep this in mind and support their psychological and emotional needs along with their physical. Often times we forget to view the patient holistically and underestimate the impact the patient’s emotional state has on their physical recovery. To support these needs nurses can listen and be present when their patient needs to talk through the situation, offer encouragement and monitor them for emotional or psychological stress (Falkner, 2018). The nurse can also connect them with additional resources, such as a chaplain visit or community resources that may be beneficial to their recovery. Recovering from a stroke can be a very challenging time for patient, nurses play an important role in supporting their emotional needs during this time.

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Reference:

Center for Disease Control [CDC]. (2022). Stroke. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm

Falkner, A. and Green, S. (2018). Neurological, perceptual, and cognitive complexities. In Pathophysiology Clinical Applications for Client Health. Grand Canyon University (Ed). https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs410v/pathophysiology-clinical-applications-for-client-health/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families. Discuss the nurse’s role in supporting the patient’s psychological and emotional needs. Provide an example.

Re: Topic 2 DQ 2

According to (CDC, 2019), a stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. About 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year and is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential. The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen. The signs and symptoms of a stroke are the same for both men and women. Symptoms can happen suddenly or they can come and go over a few days. The main warning signs and symptoms of stroke include weakness on one side of your body; numbness or tingling in your face, arm or leg; trouble speaking or understanding what others say; vision problems, such as double vision or being unable to see, especially in one eye; dizziness, such as losing your balance, especially if you are also showing other sign (CDC, 2019). Intense consideration of a stroke incorporates stabilization and aggressive treatment whenever indicated, then initiation of supportive services, for example, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, to start rebuilding of functions to any areas of deficit.

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Patients and their loved ones are affected in a variety of ways by stroke. Stroke patients’ families must deal not just with mobility, self-care, and communication issues, but also with cognitive decline, depression, and other personality changes. Physical, social, and emotional aspects of one’s life must be altered in order to recover from a stroke. Reducing the risk of recurrence is a concern for both the patient and his or her loved ones following a stroke. the impact of stress on family relationships and money, driving and other independent activities, food, quitting smoking and weight loss, and returning to work are some of the concerns (ASA, 2020.). Patients may have to rethink their sense of self and their place in the world. Exercises for restoring range of motion and motor skills are part of the recovery process, as are lessons in mobility. To help a patient, a nurse must listen carefully, be available, use silence when necessary, offer words of encouragement, and watch for signs of suffering in the patient (Falkner and Green, 2018). Patients’ religious, cultural, and spiritual views and preferences are taken into consideration when a nurse evaluates the treatment offered.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, November 18). Stroke. Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm

American Stroke Association. (2020). Stroke Symptoms. Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

Falkner, A., & Green, S. Z. (2018). Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs410v/pathophysiology-clinical-applications-for-client-health/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Characteristic findings for a stroke paper help

1. What is stroke?
2. How does stroke affect the lives of patients and their families?

Re: Topic 2 DQ 2
Stroke (CVA) is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of disability and occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked by rupture or thrombus in a blood vessel supplying the area. This causes brain cell death from oxygen deprivation. There are 2 different types of stroke:

Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the rupture of a weakened blood vessel or an aneurysm.
Stroke caused by a clot in a blood vessel that restricts blood flow.
Strokes usually happen unexpectedly and necessitate immediate recognition and medical attention. The acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is useful for recognizing a stroke quickly. Symptoms include: Discuss the symptoms of a stroke and how they affect the lives of patients and their families.

Face, arm, or leg numbness or weakness Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, especially on one side of the body
Having difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
Walking difficulties, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
Unknown cause of severe headache
Stroke can interfere with even the most basic daily activities such as dressing, eating, using the bathroom (toilet and shower/tub use), and ambulation. Despite the effects of the stroke, rehabilitation can help patients regain strength and continue with their daily activities. To live independently, home modifications to the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen are required.

Anxiety, irritability, changes in sleep patterns and behaviors, loss of appetite or overeating, and feelings of hopelessness are all symptoms of a stroke. Stroke survivors and caregivers will require assistance in adjusting to the changes in their lives. Eating a healthy diet, staying socially and physically active, and remaining as self-sufficient as possible are all ways to treat depression without medication. The American Heart Association website lists support groups. Discuss the symptoms of a stroke and how they affect the lives of patients and their families.

References:

American Stroke Association. (2020). About Stroke. Retrieved from: https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke

Falkner, Angel and Sue Z. Green. (2018). Neurological, Perceptual, and Cognitive Complexities. Retrieved from: https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs410v/pathophysiology-clinical-applications-for-client-health/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Stroke is a health condition that results from the blockage of the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain, hence the brain cells begin to die. It is on the list of the top five killer diseases and a leading cause of disability in the US (“About Stroke”, 2019). It is a fatal condition and if intervention measures are not taken immediately, it results to death. Those who recover from stroke have several impairments that result to reduced quality of life, independence, society participation and productivity (Baye et al., 2020). At the onset of stroke, one might experience mild symptoms such as numbness or weakness of the limbs, problems of speech, blurred vision loss of coordination and severe headache and dizziness (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

The effects or characteristics of stroke vary depending on the extend and the part of the brain that was obstructed. If the obstruction of the brain is on the left side of the brain then some of the effects experienced include; paralysis of the right side of the body, loss of memory, the aspect of speech and language is affected and general sluggish behavior. When the damage is on the right side of the brain the patient experiences paralysis on the left side of the body, the eyes are affected hence poor vision and loss of memory. However, in severe cases the patient may be totally incapacitated.

Since stroke has long lasting effects that are both physical and psychological to the patient, it is imperative to note that the patients require specialized care to cope up with life after the stroke. Nurses, especially the community nurses, have a higher responsibility in taking care and supporting stroke patients. For instance, since the patients recovering from stroke have impaired muscle coordination, the nurses have a responsibility of providing physiotherapy services to the patients and guide them through the rehabilitation process (Baye et al., 2020). The patients will require the therapies as they work to regain their motor, sensory and cognitive abilities. Additionally, there is a major psychological problem that patients recovering from stoke experience together with their families. Therefore, community nurse leader has a responsibility to offer guidance and encouragement to the family and the patient. They may also refer the affected members of family for further counselling from a psychologist.

References

Baye, M., Hintze, A., Gordon-Murer, C., Mariscal, T., Belay, G. J., Gebremariam, A. A., & Hughes, C. M. L. (2020). Stroke Characteristics and Outcomes of Adult Patients in Northwest Ethiopia. Frontiers in Neurology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00428

Mayo Clinic. (2018). Stroke – Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113  findings for a stroke

findings for a stroke