Stroke practice questions

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."F

Which interventions would be recommended for a client with dysphagia? Select all that apply.

-Assist the client with meals. -Test the gag reflex before offering food or fluids. -Allow ample time to eat.

A family member comes to the clinic to talk to the nurse about a client who has had a stroke on the right side of the brain. The family member is concerned because of the deficits the client is exhibiting. The nurse knows that when a client experiences a stroke on the right side of the brain, common deficits include what? Select all that apply.

-Left-sided hemiplegia -Tendency to distractibility -Neglect of objects and people on the left side

A patient has been admitted to a unit at a primary stroke center after experiencing an ischemic stroke. The nurse on the unit is aware of the vital importance of rehabilitative efforts and knows that an active rehabilitation program should begin at what point?

As soon as the patient regains consciousness

A patient diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm reports a severe headache to the nurse. What action is a priority for the nurse?

Call the health care provider immediately.

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

Which terms refers to blindness in the right or left half of the visual field in both eyes?

Homonymous hemianopsia

A nurse is planning discharge for a client who experienced right-sided weakness caused by a stroke. During his hospitalization, the client has been receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily. The family voices concern about rehabilitation after discharge. How should the nurse intervene?

Inform the case manager of the family's concern and provide information about the client's current clinical status so appropriate resources can be provided after discharge.

What clinical manifestations does the nurse recognize when a patient has had a right hemispheric stroke?

Left visual field deficit

A client has experienced an ischemic stroke that has damaged the frontal lobe of his brain. Which of the following deficits does the nurse expect to observe during assessment?

Limited attention span and forgetfulness

Which of the following is accurate regarding a hemorrhagic stroke?

Main presenting symptom is an "exploding headache."

A patient is brought to the emergency department with a possible stroke. What initial diagnostic test for a stroke, usually performed in the emergency department, would the nurse prepare the patient for?

Noncontrast computed tomogram (CT)

The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a patient who is being discharged after hospitalization for a hemorrhagic stroke. What should be included in the discharge teaching for this patient?

Take antihypertensive medication as ordered.

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.

Which of the following is the chief cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)?

Uncontrolled hypertension

A client is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The nurse would anticipate which diagnostic evaluation to be completed prior to initiation of treatment?

brain CT scan or MRI

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

establishing eye contact

From which direction should a nurse approach a client who is blind in the right eye?

from the left side of client

Which is a nonmodifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke?

gender

An emergency department (ED) nurse has administered an ordered bolus of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to a male patient who was diagnosed with stroke. During the administration of tPA, the nurse should prioritize assessments related to what problem?

hemorrhage

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

heparin sodium

Which is a contraindication for the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)?

intracranial hemorrhage

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a stroke. Imaging studies indicate an embolus partially obstructing the right carotid artery. What type of stroke does the nurse know this client has?

ischemic

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse recognizes that which intervention is most important?

maintaining patient airway

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

semi-fowlers

A patient is exhibiting classic signs of a hemorrhagic stroke. What complaint from the patient would be an indicator of this type of stroke?

severe headache

The nurse is participating in a health fair for stroke prevention. Which will the nurse say is a modifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke?

smoking

When developing a care plan for a client who has recently suffered a stroke, a nurse includes the nursing diagnosis Risk for imbalanced body temperature. What is the rationale for this diagnosis?

The stroke may have impacted the body's thermoregulation centers.

A nurse is teaching a community class that those experiencing symptoms of ischemic stroke need to enter the medical system early. The primary reason for this is which of the following?

Thrombolytic therapy has a time window of only 3 hours

A patient diagnosed with an ischemic stroke should be treated within the first 3 hours of symptom onset with which of the following?

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

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

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

A client with a history of atrial fibrillation has experienced a TIA. In an effort to reduce the risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), the nurse anticipates the priority medical treatment to include which of the following?

Anticoagulant therapy

A client recently experienced a stroke with accompanying left-sided paralysis. His family voices concerns about how to best interact with him. They report the client doesn't seem aware of their presence when they approach him on his left side. What advice should the nurse give the family?

"The client is unaware of his left side. You should approach him on the right side."

A patient who just suffered a hemorrhagic stroke is brought to the emergency department by ambulance. What should be the nurse's primary assessment focus?

Cardiac and respiratory status

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

The day the patient has the stroke