Question

According to the CDC (2013), stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 800,000 people in the US dying from this each year. There is a geographic and racial disparity in risk and mortality.

What are some of the best practice stroke assessments and the nurse's role in stroke prevention related to those at highest risk and discuss your findings. Discuss ways the nurse can apply the neuro assessment to identify those at risk for stroke.

Answer 1

Stroke:

Damage to the brain from the interruption of its blood supply.

Practices of assessment of stroke:

1) Balance: sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

2) Eyes: decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes.

3) Face: check for facial weakness.

4) Arms: weakness or numbness in arm or legs usually one side.

5) Speech: difficulty in speaking or understanding of language.

6) Headache: severe headache with no known cause.

Role of nurses in stroke prevention:

Nurses paly an important role in providing information and advice to patients in secondary prevention of stroke.

1) Raise the awareness of risk factors of stroke.

2) Give life style advice.

3) support people to give up smoking.

4) promote healthy eating and regular excercise.

5) setting up a suitable diet plan.

6) oraganising camps for early diagnosis of risk factors.

Neuro assessment:

Assessing mental status.

Motor and sensory function.

Reflexes.

Vital signs.

Any life threatening situation.

Gaze

Consciousness.