1) Describe the neurologic deficits that may result from CVA

1) Describe the neurologic deficits that may result from CVA

2) Explain the tests and procedures used to diagnose CVA and nursing responsibilities for patients undergoing those tests and procedures."

One, neurologic deficits due to CVA

 A stroke or also known as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) can have many different neurologic deficits due to the location of the affected part of the brain. Here are common deficits associated with CVA:Here are common deficits associated with CVA:

 Motor Impairments:

 Hemiparesis or Hemiplegia: Temporary or prolonged paralysis of one side of the body; temporary or complete loss of control of the muscles on one side of the body.

 Difficulty with Coordination and Balance: In doing this, problems like those related to impaired hand skills for instance the ability to hold an object or even walking.

 Sensory Deficits:

 Loss of Sensation: Tingling or a feeling that a part of the body is ‘sleeping’.

 Visual Disturbances: New, neglected acute eye disease or chronic disease in which the condition has worsened, for example, partial or complete loss of vision in one eye, or in half the visual field (hemianopia).

 Speech and Language Problems:

 Aphasia: Aphasia, this is when one has problems with words, either saying the wrong thing, or not being able to understand what is being said to him or her.

 Dysarthria: Slurring of speech because the muscles responsible for speaking are weak.

 Cognitive and Emotional Changes:

 Confusion and Memory Problems: Memory loss, confusion, and reduction in the mental ability to learn new ideas or process them well.

 Emotional Instability: Alterations in affective reactions, which may include elevated levels of anxiety, depression or, conversely, are related to labile affect.

 Swallowing Difficulties:

 Dysphagia: They include problems with swallowing and are inclined to aspiration that in turn heightens the risk of pneumonia.

 Neglect Syndrome:

 Unawareness of One Side of the Body: Occasionally patients may pay no attention to one side of the body or have no perception of the opposite side of the body (unilateral neglect).

 2) Diagnostic Techniques, Examinations used for CVA and Role of a Nurse in Their Administration

 Tests and Procedures:

 CT Scan (Computed Tomography):

 Purpose: For example to decide whether there is bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) or to detect other pathologies as a tumor or edema.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Make sure the patient is also steady during the process, there is check-up for any signs of allergy if contrast is used during the process, and the patient should be counseled to reduce anxiety.

 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):

 Purpose: To visualise small structures and areas of ischemia or other pathology that cannot be picked up on a CT scan.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Check whether the patient had a metal implant, then make sure the patient is well positioned and then explain to them in detail the procedure.

 Carotid Ultrasound:

 Purpose: To determine whether there was a significant obstruction in the carotid arteries responsible for stroke.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Rarely can any preparation be required and you can just tell the patient that you are going to do a procedure then help him or her get into the right posture.

 Cerebral Angiography:

 Purpose: To map blood vessels in the head and to reveal presence of pathologies such as aneurisms or AV-fistulas.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Explain the procedure to the patient, assess for contrast sensitivity and watch for any complications during the procedure and afterwards look for hemorrhage and infection at the site of catheter entry.

 Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap):

 Purpose: To perform a lumbar puncture, that is, the doctor takes a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid in order to check for signs of bleeding or infection.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Help with the placement of the patient, observe the pt for post ME procedure headaches/back pain and administer post ME procedure care by keeping the patient flat on their back to possibly avoid headaches.

 Blood Tests:

 Purpose: To ascertain other ill conditions that may be causing the formation of clots such as infection, clotting disorders among others.

 Nursing Responsibilities: Draw blood samples, label properly and observe for any mismatches as well as adverse reactions respectively.

 General Nursing Responsibilities Across Procedures:General Nursing Responsibilities Across Procedures:

 Preparation and Education: Discuss the expected procedure with the patient and all his or her concerns about the procedure.

 Monitoring: Supervise circulatory, respiratory, and other indices as well as patient’s state prior to the treatment, during treatment, and after the treatment.

 Comfort and Safety: Check the patient needs, talk to them about their feelings, and help with their positioning.

 Documentation: Capture the procedure done and the reaction of the patients as well as any side effects or issues noticed.

 Knowledge of these tests and the roles that nurses perform in relation to the tests contributes to patient care when caring for a patient that has been evaluated and managed after a stroke.