NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). It can serve as a measure of stroke severity and is a predictor of both short- and long-term outcomes of stroke patients.
It also serves as a data collection tool for planning patient care and provides a common language for exchanging information among health care providers
Assesses: LOC, LOC questions, LOC commands, best gaze, visual, facial palsy, motor and drift, limb ataxia, sensory, best language, dysarthria, extinction or inattention (e.g. cannot recognize hand), distal motor function d. 65-year-old African American man with hypertension.
Rationale: Nonmodifiable risk factors for stroke include age (older than 65 years), male gender, ethnicity or race (incidence is highest in African Americans; next highest in Hispanics, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and Asian Americans; and next highest in white people), and family history of stroke or personal history of a transient ischemic attack or stroke. Modifiable risk factors for stroke include hypertension (most important), heart disease (especially atrial fibrillation), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption (causes hypertension), abdominal obesity, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, lack of physical exercise, poor diet (high in saturated fat and low in fruits and vegetables), and drug abuse (especially cocaine). Other risk factors for stroke include a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, increased serum levels of cholesterol, birth control pills (high levels of progestin and estrogen), history of migraine headaches, inflammatory conditions,
hyperhomocystinemia, and sickle cell disease. c. assisting the patient to stand to void.
Rationale: In the acute stage of stroke, the primary urinary problem is poor bladder control and incontinence. Nurses should promote normal bladder function and avoid the use of indwelling catheters. A bladder retraining program consists of (1) adequate fluid intake, with most fluids administered between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm; (2) scheduled toileting every 2 hours with the use of a bedpan, commode, or bathroom; and (3) noting signs of restlessness, which may indicate the need for urination. Intermittent catheterization may be used for urinary retention (not urinary incontinence). During the rehabilitation phase after a stroke, nursing interventions focused on urinary continence include (1) assessment for bladder distention by palpation; (2) offering the bedpan, urinal, commode, or toilet every 2 hours during waking hours and every 3 to 4 hours at night; (3) using a direct command to help the patient focus on the need to urinate; (4) assistance with clothing and mobility; (5) scheduling most fluid intake between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm; and (6) encouraging the usual position for urinating (i.e., standing for men and sitting for women). a. depression, d. sleep disturbances, e. denial of severity of stroke
Rationale: The patient with a stroke may experience many losses, including sensory, intellectual, communicative, functional, role behavior, emotional, social, and vocational losses. Some patients experience long-term depression, manifesting symptoms such as anxiety, weight loss, fatigue, poor appetite, and sleep disturbances. The time and energy required to perform previously simple tasks can result in anger and frustration. Frustration and depression are common in the first year after a stroke. A stroke is usually a sudden, extremely stressful event for the patient, caregiver, family, and significant others. The family is often affected emotionally, socially, and financially as their roles and responsibilities change. Reactions vary considerably but may involve fear, apprehension, denial of the severity of stroke, depression, anger, and sorrow.