Intracranial PrepU

During a class on stroke, a junior nursing student asks what the clinical manifestations of stroke are. What would be the instructor's best answer?

"Clinical manifestations of a stroke depend on the area of the cortex, the affected hemisphere, the degree of blockage, and the availability of collateral circulation."

A nurse is instructing the spouse of a client who suffered a stroke about the use of eating devices the client will be using. During the teaching, the spouse starts to cry and states, "One minute he is laughing, and the next he's crying; I just don't understand what's wrong with him." Which statement is the best response by the nurse?

"Emotional lability is common after a stroke, and it usually improves with time."

A patient is in the acute phase of an ischemic stroke. How long does the nurse know that this phase may last?

1-3 days

A patient is admitted via ambulance to the emergency room of a stroke center at 1:30 p.m. with symptoms that the patient said began at 1:00 p.m. Within 1 hour, an ischemic stroke had been confirmed and the doctor ordered tPA. The nurse knows to give this drug no later than what time?

4:00 p.m.

The nurse is preparing to administer tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) to a patient who weighs 132 lb. The order reads 0.9 mg/kg t-PA. The nurse understands that 10% of the calculated dose is administered as an IV bolus over 1 minute, and the remaining dose (90%) is administered IV over 1 hour via an infusion pump. How many milligrams IV bolus over 1 minute will the nurse initially administer?

5.4 First, the nurse must convert the patient's weight to kilograms (132/2.2 = 60 kg), then multiply 0.9 mg × 60 kg = 54 mg. Next, the nurse figure out that 10% of 54 mg is 5.4 (54 ×.10). The nurse will initially administer 5.4 mgs IV bolus over 1 minute.

A patient had a carotid endarterectomy yesterday and when the nurse arrived in the room to perform an assessment, the patient states, "All of a sudden, I am having trouble moving my right side." What concern should the nurse have about this complaint?

A thrombus formation at the site of the endarterectomy Formation of a thrombus at the site of the endarterectomy is suspected if there is a sudden new onset of neurologic deficits, such as weakness on one side of the body.

A nurse is teaching a community group about modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for ischemic strokes. Which of the following is a risk factor that cannot be modified?

Advanced age

Which term refers to the failure to recognize familiar objects perceived by the senses?

Agnosia

What nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with receptive aphasia?

Aphasia

Which term refers to the inability to perform previously learned purposeful motor acts on a voluntary basis?

Apraxia

Which of the following, if left untreated, can lead to an ischemic stroke?

Atrial fibrillation

A client has experienced an ischemic stroke that has damaged the temporal (lateral and superior portions) lobe. Which of the following deficits would the nurse expect during assessment of this client?

Auditory agnosia

A client is following up after a visit to the emergency department where testing indicated that the client had suffered a transient ischemic attack. What lifestyle changes would the nurse include in teaching to prevent further reoccurrence? Select all that apply. High-dose aspirin Blood pressure control Weight loss Physical activity limitations Smoking cessation

Blood pressure control Weight loss Smoking cessation

A patient presents to the emergency room with complaints of having an "exploding headache" for the last 2 hours. The patient is immediately seen by a triage nurse who suspects the patient is experiencing a stroke. Which of the following is a possible cause based on the characteristic symptom?

Cerebral aneurysm

A 45-year-old client presents to the ED reporting trouble speaking and numbness of the right arm and leg. The nurse suspects an ischemic stroke. Which insult or abnormality can cause an ischemic stroke?

Cocaine use Arteriovenous malformations, trauma, and intracerebral aneurysm are associated with hemorrhagic strokes.

While caring for clients who have suffered neurologic deficits from causes such as cerebrovascular accident and closed head injury, an important nursing goal that motivates nurses to offer the best care possible is preventing:

Complications

After a stroke, a client is admitted to the facility. The client has left-sided weakness and an absent gag reflex. He's incontinent and has a tarry stool. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, and his hemoglobin is 10 g. Which nursing intervention is a priority for this client?

Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees

The nurse is caring for a client with aphasia. Which strategy will the nurse use to facilitate communication with the client?

Establishing eye contact

Which is the most common motor dysfunction seen in clients diagnosed with stroke? Hemiplegia or ataxia?

Hemiplegia Ataxia is impaired ability to coordinate movement.

A client undergoes cerebral angiography for evaluation of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Which findings indicate spasm or occlusion of a cerebral vessel by a clot?

Hemiplegia, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness, aphasia, hemiparesis, and increased focal symptoms

A healthcare provider orders several drugs for a client with hemorrhagic stroke. Which drug order should the nurse question?

Heparin sodium

The nurse practitioner advises a patient who is at high risk for a stroke to be vigilant in his medication regimen, to maintain a healthy weight, and to adopt a reasonable exercise program. This advice is based on research data that shows the most important risk factor for stroke is:

Hypertension Hypertension is the most modifiable risk factor for either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

A diagnostic test has determined that the appropriate diet for the client with a left cerebrovascular accident (CVA) should include thickened liquids. Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?

Impaired Swallowing

A client is receiving an IV infusion of mannitol (Osmitrol) after undergoing intracranial surgery to remove a brain tumor. To confirm that this drug is producing its therapeutic effect, the nurse should consider which finding most significant?

Increased urine output

An emergency department nurse is interviewing a client who is presenting with signs of an ischemic stroke that began 2 hours ago. The client reports a history of a cholecystectomy 6 weeks ago and is taking digoxin, warfarin, and labetalol. What factor poses a threat to the client for thrombolytic therapy?

International normalized ratio greater than 2 The client is at risk for further bleeding if the international normalized ratio is greater than 2. Thrombolytic therapy must be initiated within 3 hours in clients with ischemic stroke. The client is not eligible for thrombolytic therapy if she has had surgery within 14 days. Digoxin and labetalol do not prohibit thrombolytic therapy.

A nurse practitioner provides health teaching to a patient who has difficulty managing hypertension. This patient is at an increased risk of which type of stroke?

Intracerebral hemorrhage About 80% of hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral, and they are caused primarily by uncontrolled hypertension.

A nurse is working with a student nurse who is caring for a client with an acute bleeding cerebral aneurysm. Which action by the student nurse requires further intervention?

Keeping the client in one position to decrease bleeding

A client has experienced an ischemic stroke that has damaged the lower motor neurons of the brain. Which of the following deficits would the nurse expect during assessment?

Lack of deep tendon reflexes

A client is admitted with weakness, expressive aphasia, and right hemianopia. The brain MRI reveals an infarct. The nurse understands these symptoms to be suggestive of which of the following findings?

Left-sided cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A patient who has suffered a stroke begins having complications regarding spasticity in the lower extremity. What ordered medication does the nurse administer to help alleviate this problem?

Lioresal (Baclofen)

Which of the following is accurate regarding a hemorrhagic stroke?

Main presenting symptom is an "exploding headache."

A female client who reports recurring headaches, accompanied by increased irritability, photophobia, and fatigue is asked to track the headache symptoms and occurrence on a calendar log. Which is the best nursing rationale for this action?

Migraines often coincide with menstrual cycle.

Which clinical manifestation would be exhibited by a client following a hemorrhagic stroke of the right hemisphere?

Neglect of the left side

Which is the initial diagnostic test for a stroke?

Noncontrast computed tomography

Symptoms of ischemic stroke?

Numbness of face, arm, leg (especially on one side). Confusion (ask family about changes), speech, seeing double or blurry, visual disturbances (have pt. read something), trouble walking, perceptual problems (have pt. reach for something)

The nurse is caring for a client with aphasia. Which action will the nurse take when communicating with the client? Select all that apply. Pause between phrases Use gestures when talking Face the client when talking Talk over the television volume Speak in a normal tone of voice

Pause between phrases Use gestures when talking Face the client when talking Speak in a normal tone of voice

The nurse is caring for a client with dysphagia. Which intervention would be contraindicated while caring for this client?

Placing food on the affected side of the mouth

After having a stroke, a patient has cognitive deficits. What are the cognitive deficits the nurse recognizes the patient has as a result of the stroke? Select all that apply. Poor abstract reasoning Decreased attention span Short- and long-term memory loss Expressive aphasia Paresthesias

Poor abstract reasoning Decreased attention span Short- and long-term memory loss

The nurse is caring for a client following an aneurysm coiling procedure. The nurse documents that the client is experiencing Korsakoff syndrome. Which set of symptoms characterizes Korsakoff syndrome?

Psychosis, disorientation, delirium, insomnia, and hallucinations Potential post operative complications include psychological symptoms such as disorientation, amnesia, and Korsakoff syndrome (disorder characterized by psychosis, disorientation, delirium, insomnia, hallucinations, and personality changes).

The nurse is completing an assessment on a client with a history of migraines. The nurse would identify which of the following factors as a possible trigger for a migraine headache? Select all that apply. Red wine Nausea Menstruation Exposure to flashing light Change in environmental temperature Prolonged positioning

Red wine Menstruation Exposure to flashing light

A nurse is caring for a client with a cerebral aneurysm. Which nursing interventions would be mostuseful to the nurse to avoid bleeding in the brain? Select all that apply. Report changes in neurologic status as soon as a worsening trend is identified. Use a well-lighted room for assessments every 2 hours. Follow the healthcare provider's orders to increase fluid volume. Maintain the head of the bed at 30 degrees. Avoid any activities that cause a Valsalva maneuver.

Report changes in neurologic status as soon as a worsening trend is identified. Maintain the head of the bed at 30 degrees. Avoid any activities that cause a Valsalva maneuver.

A client on your unit is scheduled to have intracranial surgery in the morning. Which nursing intervention helps to avoid intraoperative complications, reduce cerebral edema, and prevent postoperative vomiting?

Restrict fluids before surgery. Before surgery, the nurse should restrict fluids to avoid intraoperative complications, reduce cerebral edema, and prevent postoperative vomiting. The nurse administers prescribed medications such as an anticonvulsant phenytoin, like Dilantin, to reduce the risk of seizures before and after surgery, an osmotic diuretic, and corticosteroids.

The nurse practitioner is able to correlate a patient's neurologic deficits with the location in the brain affected by ischemia or hemorrhage. For a patient with a left hemispheric stroke, the nurse would expect to see:

Right-sided paralysis.

The nurse is caring for a patient having a hemorrhagic stroke. What position in the bed will the nurse maintain this patient?

Semi-Fowler's The head of the bed is elevated 15 to 30 degrees (semi-Fowler's position) to promote venous drainage and decrease intracranial pressure.

While providing information to a community group, the nurse tells them the primary initial symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke are:

Severe headache and early change in level of consciousness Severe headache, vomiting, early change in level of consciousness, and seizures are early signs of a hemorrhagic stroke

The nurse has just received report on a client in the ED being transferred to the acute stroke unit with a diagnosis of a right hemispheric stroke. Which findings does the nurse understand is indicative of a right hemispheric stroke?

Spatial-perceptual deficits

A nurse in a rehabilitation facility is coordinating the discharge of a client who is tetraplegic. The client, who is married and has two children in high school, is being discharged to home and will require much assistance. Who would the discharge planner recognize as being the most important member of this client's care team?

Spouse

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic migraines who is prescribed medication. What drug-related instructions should the nurse give the client?

Take medication as soon as symptoms of the migraine begin.

When should the nurse plan the rehabilitation of a patient who is having an ischemic stroke?

The day the patient has the stroke

A patient having an acute stroke with no other significant medical disorders has a blood glucose level of 420 mg/dL. What significance does the hyperglycemia have for this patient?

This is significant for poor neurologic outcomes.

A client is hospitalized when presenting to the emergency department with right-sided weakness. Within 6 hours of being admitted, the neurologic deficits had resolved and the client was back to his presymptomatic state. The nurse caring for the client knows that the probable cause of the neurologic deficit was what?

Transient ischemic attack

The nurse plays a critical role in the initial work-up of a patient with acute stroke symptoms. An immediate decision is to determine if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. Although there is overlap in some motor, sensory, and cognitive changes, hemorrhagic strokes can be identified by some specific signs. Which of the following signs are consistent with a hemorrhagic stroke? Select all that apply. Vomiting Numbness or weakness of an extremity Sudden, severe headache Loss of balance Seizures

Vomiting Sudden, severe headache Seizures

The nurse is providing information about strokes to a community group. Which of the following would the nurse identify as the primary initial symptoms of an ischemic stroke?

Weakness on one side of the body and difficulty with speech

The nurse recognizes health promotion efforts to decrease the risk for ischemic stroke involve encouraging a healthy lifestyle, including

a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and increased exercise.

A client diagnosed with a stroke is ordered to receive warfarin. Later, the nurse learns that the warfarin is contraindicated and the order is canceled. The nurse knows that the best alternative medication to give is

aspirin.

A nurse is reading a journal article about stroke and the underlying causes associated with this condition. The nurse demonstrates understanding of the information when identifying which subtype of stroke as being due to atrial fibrillation?

cardio embolic

A 64-year-old client reports symptoms consistent with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) to the health care provider in the emergency department. Which is the origin of the client's symptoms?

impaired cerebral circulation Atherosclerosis, cardiac disease, hypertension, or diabetes can be risk factors for a TIA but do not cause it.