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.
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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.
Stroke affects the lives of patients and their families in many ways. Families have to deal with not only stroke patients’ difficulties in mobility, self-care, and communication, but also their cognitive impairment, depression, and personality changes. Recovery from stoke needs changes in physical, social, and emotional parts of life. The patient and family may fear another stroke will happen and require help to make way of life changes to reduce the danger of reoccurrence. Concerns include the tension on family relationships, finances, capacity to drive and improve in other independent activities, diet, quit smoking, weight reduction, and going back to work (ASA, 2020.). Patients may need to reformulate their view of self and their role in the family and society. Recovering capacities incorporates range of motion and motor skill exercises and mobility training. As a nurse, we can offer help by listening, being available, using silence when needed, offering encouragement, and observing the patient for indications of pain (Falkner and Green, 2018). The nurse monitors the care given for signs of respect and dignity toward the patient, considering the patient’s religious, cultural, and spiritual beliefs and gender preferences.
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
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-caused by rupture of weakened blood vessel or a rupture of an aneurysm.
Thrombus Stroke-caused by a clot in a blood vessel impeding blood flow.
Strokes usually occur suddenly and require immediate recognition and medical attention. The acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a helpful way for rapid recognition of a stroke. Symptoms are: Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families
Numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg. Especially on one side of the body
Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination
Severe headache with no known cause
Stroke can affect the most basic activities in life like dressing, eating, using the bathroom (toilet and shower/tub use) and ambulation. Rehabilitation can help rebuild strength and help patients continue their daily activities despite the effects of the stroke. Home modifications must be made to the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen to make living independently more achievable.
People who have had a stroke may experience anxiety, irritability, changes in sleep patterns and in their behaviors, loss of appetite or overeating and feelings of hopelessness. Survivors of strokes and their caregivers will need help adjusting to the changes in their lives. Eating a healthy diet, remaining socially and physically active, and staying as independent as possible are ways to treat depression without medications. Support groups are available via the American Heart Association website. Discuss characteristic findings for a stroke and how it affects the lives of patients and their families
As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Discuss the nurse’s role in supporting the patient’s psychological and emotional needs)
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
