Stroke ATI & Evolve

SATA A nurse is planning care for a client who has dysphagia and a new dietary prescription. Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply. a. Have suction equipment available for use b. Feed the client thickened liquids c. Place food on the unaffected side of the client's mouth d. Assign a UAP to feed the client slowly e. Teach the client to swallow with her neck flexed

A, B, C, E

SATA A nurse is caring for a client who has global aphasia (both receptive and expressive). Which of the following should the nurse include in the client's plan of care? Select all that apply. a. Speak to the client at a slower rate b. Assist the client in communicating with flashcards with pictures c. Speak to the client in a loud voice d. Finish the clients sentences when they have cannot finish e. Give instructions once step at a time

A, B, E

SATA A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a right-hemispheric stroke. Which of the following are expected findings? Select all that apply. a. impulse control difficulty b. left hemiplegia c. loss of depth perception d. aphasia e. lack of situational awareness

Ans: A, B, C, E

A nurse is caring for a client who has left homonymous hemianopsia. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention? a. Teach the client to scan to the right to see objects on the right side of her body b. Place the bedside table on the right side of her bed c. Orient the client to the food on her plate using the clock method d. Place the wheelchair on the clients lift side

Ans: B

The patient with diabetes mellitus had a right-sided stroke. Which nursing intervention should the nurse plan to provide for this patient? a. Safety measures b. Patience with communication c. Mobility assistance on the right side d. Place food in the left side of patient's mouth.

Answer: A (A patient with a right-sided stroke has spatial-perceptual deficits, tends to minimize problems, has a short attention span, is impulsive, and may have impaired judgment. Safety is the biggest concern for this patient. Hemiplegia occurs on the left side of this patient's body. The patient with a left-sided stroke has hemiplegia on the right, is more likely to have communication problems, and needs mobility assistance on the right side with food placed on the left side if the patient needs to be fed after a swallow evaluation has taken place.)

A CT scan of a 68-yr-old male patient's head reveals that he has experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. What is the priority nursing intervention in the emergency department? a. Maintenance of the patient's airway b. Positioning to promote cerebral perfusion c. Control of fluid and electrolyte imbalances d. Administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

Answer: A (Maintenance of a patent airway is the priority in the acute care of a patient with a hemorrhagic stroke. It supersedes the importance of fluid and electrolyte imbalance and positioning. tPA is contraindicated in hemorrhagic stroke.)

Which modifiable risk factor for stroke would be most important for the nurse to include when planning a community education program? a. Hypertension b. Hyperlipidemia c. Alcohol consumption d. Oral contraceptive use

Answer: A (Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor, but it is still often undetected and inadequately treated. The public is often more aware of hyperlipidemia and oral contraceptive use as risk factors for stroke. Alcohol is also a modifiable risk factor.)

SATA The nurse is discharging a patient admitted with a transient ischemic attack (TIA). For which medications might the nurse expect to provide discharge instructions (select all that apply.)? a. Ticlopidine b. Clopidogrel c. Enoxaparin d. Dipyridamole e. Enteric-coated aspirin f. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

Answer: A, B, D, E (Aspirin is the most frequently used antiplatelet agent. Other drugs to prevent clot formation include clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, combined dipyridamole and aspirin, and anticoagulant drugs such as oral warfarin. Tissue plasminogen activator is a fibrinolytic medication used to treat ischemic stroke, not prevent TIAs or strokes.)

The nurse would expect to find what clinical manifestation in a patient admitted with a left- sided stroke? a. Impulsivity b. Impaired speech c. Left-side neglect d. Short attention span

Answer: B (Clinical manifestations of left-sided brain damage include right hemiplegia, impaired speech/language, impaired right/left discrimination, and slow and cautious performance. Impulsivity, left-sided neglect, and short attention span are all manifestations of right-sided brain damage.)

A female patient has left-sided hemiplegia after an ischemic stroke 4 days earlier. How should the nurse promote skin integrity? a. Position the patient on her weak side the majority of the time. b. Alternate the patient's positioning between supine and side-lying. c. Avoid the use of pillows in order to promote independence in positioning. d. Establish a schedule for the massage of areas where skin breakdown emerges.

Answer: B (A position change schedule should be established for stroke patients. An example is side-back-side, with a maximum duration of 2 hours for any position. The patient should be positioned on the weak or paralyzed side for only 30 minutes. Pillows may be used to facilitate positioning. Areas of skin breakdown should never be massaged.)

The nurse is planning psychosocial support for the family of the patient who suffered a stroke. What factor will have the greatest impact on family coping? a. Specific patient neurologic deficits b. The patient's ability to communicate c. Rehabilitation potential of the patient d. Presence of complications of a stroke

Answer: C (Although a patient's neurologic deficit might initially be severe, the ability of the patient to recover is most likely to positively impact the family's coping. Providing explanations and emotional support beginning in the acute phase through the rehabilitation phase will facilitate coping. Emphasizing successes will offer the most realistic hope for the patient's rehabilitation and helps maintain hope for the patient's future abilities.)

When providing care to the patient with an acute stroke, which duty can be delegated to the LPN/LVN? a. Screen patient for tPA eligibility. b. Assess the patient's ability to swallow. c. Administer scheduled anticoagulant medications. d. Place equipment needed for seizure precautions in room.

Answer: C (Assessment and screening are considered part of the registered nurse scope of practice. The LPN/LVN can administer PO or subcutaneous anticoagulant medications. Anticoagulant medications are considered high risk and should be double checked with another LPN/LVN or RN. The UAP can place equipment needed for seizure precautions in the room.)

Which sensory-perceptual deficit is associated with left-sided stroke (right hemiplegia)? a. Overestimation of physical abilities b. Difficulty judging position and distance c. Slow and possibly fearful performance of tasks d. Impulsivity and impatience at performing tasks

Answer: C (Patients with a left-sided stroke (right hemiplegia) commonly are slower in organization and performance of tasks and may have a fearful, anxious response to a stroke. Overconfidence, spatial disorientation, and impulsivity are more commonly associated with a right-sided stroke.)

The nurse is teaching a senior citizen's group about signs and symptoms of a stroke. Which statement by the nurse would provide accurate information? a. "Take the person to the hospital if a headache lasts for more than 24 hours." b. "Stroke symptoms usually start when the person is awake and physically active." c. "A person with a transient ischemic attack has mild symptoms that will go away." d. "Call 911 immediately if a person develops slurred speech or difficulty speaking."

Answer: D (Medical assistance should be obtained immediately for someone with signs and symptoms of a stroke such as sudden numbness; weakness; paralysis of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; slurred speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination; or a sudden, severe headache with no known cause. A person with signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack should seek medical attention immediately because it is unknown if the symptoms will resolve or persist and progress to a stroke. Onset of signs and symptoms of a stroke vary depending on the type. Onset of an ischemic thrombotic stroke usually occurs at rest. Onset of an ischemic embolic stroke is not related to rest or activity, and onset of a hemorrhagic stroke usually occurs with activity.)

The female patient has been brought to the emergency department complaining of the most severe headache of her life. Which type of stroke should the nurse anticipate? a. TIA b. Embolic stroke c. Thrombotic stroke d. Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer: D (Headache is common in a patient who has a subarachnoid hemorrhage or an intracerebral hemorrhage. A TIA is a transient loss of neurologic function usually without a headache. A headache may occur with an ischemic embolic stroke, but severe neurologic deficits are the initial symptoms. The ischemic thrombotic stroke manifestations progress in the first 72 hours as infarction and cerebral edema increase.)

The nurse observes a student nurse assigned to initiate oral feedings for a 68-yr-old woman with an ischemic stroke. Which action by the student will require the nurse to intervene? a. Giving the patient 1 oz of water to swallow b. Telling the patient to perform a chin tuck before swallowing c. Assisting the patient to sit in a chair before feeding the patient d. Assessing cranial nerves III, IV, and VI before attempting feeding

Answer: D (The majority of patients after a stroke have dysphagia. The gag reflex and swallowing ability (cranial nerves IX and X) should be assessed before the first oral feeding. Cranial nerves III, IV, and VI are responsible for ocular movements. To assess swallowing ability, the nurse should elevate the head of the bed to an upright position (unless contraindicated) and give the patient a small amount of crushed ice or ice water to swallow. The patient should remain in a high Fowler's position, preferably in a chair with the head flexed forward, for the feeding and for 30 minutes following.)

A 74-yr-old man who has right-sided extremity paralysis related to a thrombotic stroke develops constipation. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Assist the patient to the bathroom every 2 hours. b. Provide incontinence briefs to wear during the day. c. Administer a bisacodyl (Dulcolax) rectal suppository every day. d. Arrange for several servings per day of cooked fruits and vegetables.

Answer: D (Patients after a stroke frequently have constipation. Dietary management includes the following: fluid intake of 2500 to 3000 mL daily, prune juice (120 mL) or stewed prunes daily, cooked fruit three times daily, cooked vegetables three times daily, and whole-grain cereal or bread three to five times daily. Patients with urinary incontinence should be assisted to the bathroom every 2 hours. Suppositories may be ordered for short-term management if the patient does not respond to increased fluid and fiber. Incontinence briefs are indicated as a short-term intervention for urinary incontinence.)

The nurse in a primary care provider's office is assessing several patients today. Which patient is most at risk for a stroke? a. A 92-yr-old female patient who takes warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation b. A 28-yr-old male patient who uses marijuana after chemotherapy to control nausea c. A 42-yr-old female patient who takes oral contraceptives and has migraine headaches d. A 72-yr-old male patient who has hypertension and diabetes mellitus and smokes tobacco

Answer: D (Stroke risk increases after 65 years of age. Strokes are more common in men. Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Diabetes mellitus is a significant stroke risk factor, and smoking nearly doubles the risk of a stroke. Other risk factors include drug abuse (especially cocaine), high-dose oral contraception use, migraine headaches, and untreated heart disease such as atrial fibrillation.)

Which intervention is most appropriate when communicating with a patient with aphasia after a stroke? a. Present several thoughts at once so that the patient can connect the ideas. b. Ask open-ended questions to provide the patient the opportunity to speak. c. Finish the patient's sentences to minimize frustration associated with slow speech. d. Use simple, short sentences accompanied by visual cues to enhance comprehension.

Answer: D (When communicating with a patient with aphasia, the nurse should present one thought or idea at a time. Ask questions that can be answered with a "yes," "no," or simple word. Use visual cues and allow time for the individual to comprehend and respond to conversation.)

A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced a left-hemispheric stroke. Which of the following is an expected finding? a. Impulse control difficulty b. Poor judgement c. Inability to recognize familiar objects d. Loss of depth perception

C