Fast Facts for Stroke Care Nursing

Abstract

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and leading preventable cause of long-term disability in the United States today. As our aging population increases in number, one can expect to see a corresponding increase in the number of patients presenting in emergency departments with stroke. A dramatic improvement has been seen in stroke management over the past two decades, particularly since the early 2000s, and nurses have been racing to stay abreast of the changes and their increasing educational needs, as well as those of their patients. From the recognition of stroke signs in prehospital care, to the guidelines for inpatient care, diagnostics and interventions, and rehabilitation programs, we now must consider evidence-based practice guidelines and Food and Drug Administration–approved interventions for the clinician, patient, and the family. This book provides a succinct yet comprehensive review of the evolution of stroke patient management. It is designed to be a practical guide, starting with a brief background on the phenomenon of stroke care improvements, moving through acute care to postacute care, and finishing with practical pointers for using data to drive performance improvement. The book is organized into six parts comprising 16 chapters. The first part provides a brief overview of anatomy and physiology of the brain and cerebrovascular system, tying them to types of strokes, assessment, and diagnostic tools. The second part describes acute stroke interventions and secondary stroke prevention interventions. The third part presents the various key element of stroke care such as prehospital and emergency department, stroke unit, and intensive care unit. The next two parts discuss postacute care essentials such as rehabilitative care and secondary prevention, and primary prevention. The final part talks about evidence-based practice in stroke care nursing.