Chapter 23 Neurological Disorders: Cerebrovascular Disease
Chapter 23 Neurological Disorders Cerebrovascular Diseasechapter
Chapter 23 - Neurological Disorders. Cerebrovascular Disease Chapter 24 - Mental Health. Question(s): Choose one neurological disorder discussed in your textbook. Mention signs and symptoms of the chosen disease / disorder. Discuss its management and important nursing implications.
Guidelines : The answer should be based on the knowledge obtained from reading the book, no just your opinion. If there are 4 questions in the discussion, you must answer all of them. Your grade will be an average of all answers. Grading Criteria : Student mentions one neurological disease / disorder from the textbook (25%). Student mentions signs and symptoms of the chosen disease / disorder (25%). Student discusses management of the mentioned disease / disorder (25%). Student discusses important nursing implications. apa FORM ONLY 20 % PLAGIARISM
Paper For Above instruction
The chosen neurological disorder for this discussion is ischemic stroke, a common and serious cerebrovascular condition that results from an obstruction of blood flow to the brain. This disorder is characterized by a sudden onset of neurological deficits, which depend on the location and extent of brain tissue affected. The signs and symptoms of ischemic stroke typically include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body (hemiparesis or hemiplegia), difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia), sudden loss of coordination or balance (ataxia), facial drooping, and abrupt vision changes in one or both eyes. Patients may also experience severe headache, confusion, and loss of consciousness if the stroke impacts critical areas of the brain (Benjamin et al., 2019). These symptoms necessitate rapid recognition and intervention to reduce brain damage and improve outcomes.
Management of ischemic stroke primarily involves prompt medical intervention to restore blood flow and minimize neuronal injury. The gold standard treatment for eligible patients is the administration of intravenous thrombolytic therapy, specifically tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), within a 4.5-hour window from symptom onset. This medication helps dissolve the clot responsible for the stroke. In addition, mechanical thrombectomy may be performed for large artery occlusions, often within up to 24 hours in certain cases (Powers et al., 2018). Supportive care, including maintaining airway patency, adequate oxygenation, and blood pressure control, is crucial. Rehabilitation therapy, encompassing physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plays a significant role in helping patients regain lost functions and adapt to changes (Krishnamurthi et al., 2020).
Nursing implications in the management of ischemic stroke are profound as they involve early recognition, continuous monitoring, and supportive care. Nurses play a vital role in identifying early signs of stroke using tools such as the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale or the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Timely assessment ensures prompt medical attention. Nursing care involves maintaining patient airway, monitoring neurological status frequently using objective scales, and managing complications like increased intracranial pressure or aspiration pneumonia. Education of patients and family members about stroke signs, risk factors (e.g., hypertension, atrial fibrillation, smoking), and lifestyle modifications is essential for secondary prevention. Moreover, nursing interventions should foster a multidisciplinary approach, coordinating care with physicians, physical therapists, and neurologists to optimize recovery (Merritt & Beache, 2018).
References
- Benjamin, E. J., Muntner, P., Alonso, A., et al. (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139(10), e56–e528.
- Powers, W. J., Rabinstein, A. A., Ackerson, T., et al. (2018). 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Stroke. Stroke, 49(3), e46–e110.
- Krishnamurthi, R. V., Gebregziabher, M., et al. (2020). Stroke Rehabilitation: An Overview. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 11(2), 261–267.
- Merritt, M., & Beache, G. (2018). Nursing Care of Patients With Stroke. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 30(1), 15–29.