Code Stroke in Action
Kathryn Sheehy
University of San Diego
MEPN 560 April 6,2015
Code Stroke in Action The clock just struck 0752 in room five of the Emergency Department when the medics called in. They reported that they had an eighty-two year-old female, who had initials K.R., demonstrating left sided facial droop and aphasia. According to the ACLS stroke scale, if one has facial droop, difficulty speaking or arm drift they are 72% likely to have a stroke (Carl). Her last known time of baseline was at 1920 the previous night. Because strokes can lead to permanent damage of the brain it is vital that quick and smart action is taken. Delaying emergency care for the patient could lead to lifetime disability and possibly …show more content…
They can either be classified as a hemorrhagic stroke or an ischemic stroke (Urden, Stacy & Lough 649). Hemorrhagic strokes, which are also termed as subarachnoid hemorrage, are normally the result of a cerebral aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Hypertension, smoking, alcohol and stimulant use can lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are blamed for 13% of strokes (Urden, Stacy & Lough 649). Eighty five percent of strokes are ischemic strokes, where a vascular obstruction, which is caused by a clot, air, lipids or thrombi-atherosclerotic plaque rupture interrupt the blood to the brain. It is important that once the patient comes to the hospital, a history is taken, a neurologic exam is completed, and results of neuro-imaging studies are completed. Manifestation for stroke is displayed in varying ways, but many times the patient will present with sudden onset of symptoms, weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia or aphasia. The imaging studies, in the form of a CT scan or MRI, allow the doctors to make a well-informed decision to offer thrombolytic therapy for the patient. An initial assessment is important in determining the area of anatomical location of the lesion. Many times if the right side of the brain is affected they will manifest as left sided bodily deficits or weakness. While conducting the assessment, the nurse or doctor must take a complete history to find out the onset and progression of the symptoms. This will allow them to determine if the symptoms are worsening or resolving
Kathryn Sheehy
University of San Diego
MEPN 560 April 6,2015
Code Stroke in Action The clock just struck 0752 in room five of the Emergency Department when the medics called in. They reported that they had an eighty-two year-old female, who had initials K.R., demonstrating left sided facial droop and aphasia. According to the ACLS stroke scale, if one has facial droop, difficulty speaking or arm drift they are 72% likely to have a stroke (Carl). Her last known time of baseline was at 1920 the previous night. Because strokes can lead to permanent damage of the brain it is vital that quick and smart action is taken. Delaying emergency care for the patient could lead to lifetime disability and possibly …show more content…
They can either be classified as a hemorrhagic stroke or an ischemic stroke (Urden, Stacy & Lough 649). Hemorrhagic strokes, which are also termed as subarachnoid hemorrage, are normally the result of a cerebral aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Hypertension, smoking, alcohol and stimulant use can lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are blamed for 13% of strokes (Urden, Stacy & Lough 649). Eighty five percent of strokes are ischemic strokes, where a vascular obstruction, which is caused by a clot, air, lipids or thrombi-atherosclerotic plaque rupture interrupt the blood to the brain. It is important that once the patient comes to the hospital, a history is taken, a neurologic exam is completed, and results of neuro-imaging studies are completed. Manifestation for stroke is displayed in varying ways, but many times the patient will present with sudden onset of symptoms, weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia or aphasia. The imaging studies, in the form of a CT scan or MRI, allow the doctors to make a well-informed decision to offer thrombolytic therapy for the patient. An initial assessment is important in determining the area of anatomical location of the lesion. Many times if the right side of the brain is affected they will manifest as left sided bodily deficits or weakness. While conducting the assessment, the nurse or doctor must take a complete history to find out the onset and progression of the symptoms. This will allow them to determine if the symptoms are worsening or resolving