what do you do when a patient is having a stroke

Three Things to Do When Someone Is Having a Stroke

• 1. Call 911 immediately If you do nothing else, act quickly to call 911. ...
• 2. Note the time you first see symptoms A clot-busting medication called tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, can be given to someone if they’re having a stroke, potentially reversing or stopping symptoms from developing. ...
• 3. Perform CPR, if necessary

Full Answer

What should I do if someone is having a stroke?

Learn first aid for someone who may be having a stroke

1. Carry out the FAST test. F ace: is there weakness on one side of their face? ...
2. Call 999 as soon as possible. If you can’t call 999, get someone else to do it. ...
3. Reassure them while you wait for the ambulance.

What to do if you are having a stroke?

What is stroke rehabilitation?

• Speech therapy helps people who have problems producing or understanding speech.
• Physical therapy uses exercises to help you relearn movement and coordination skills you may have lost because of the stroke.
• Occupational therapy focuses on improving daily activities, such as eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, reading, and writing.

What is a cure for a stroke?

Treatment

• Medications. Doctors use several medications to decrease the likelihood of a stroke after a transient ischemic attack.
• Surgery. In carotid endarterectomy, your surgeon opens the carotid artery to remove atherosclerotic plaques. ...
• Angioplasty. In selected cases, a procedure called carotid angioplasty, or stenting, is an option. ...

What to do in case of a stroke?

If you think you or someone around you may be having a stroke, follow these steps:

• Call emergency services. ...
• If you’re caring for someone else having a stroke, make sure they’re in a safe, comfortable position. ...
• Check to see if they’re breathing. ...
• Talk in a calm, reassuring manner.
• Cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.
• Don’t give them anything to eat or drink.
• If the person is showing any weakness in a limb, avoid moving them.

More items...

What do nurses do when a patient has a stroke?

Nurses are expected to perform comprehensive and systematic physical assessments for all patients with stroke, including monitoring the main 5 vital signs: body temperature, blood pressure (BP), breathing effort (rate, patterns, and chest expansion), oxygen saturation, and mental status/level of consciousness.

What is the immediate first aid for a stroke?

Call emergency services and get to the hospital immediately. Call emergency services. If you're having stroke symptoms, have someone else call for you. Stay as calm as possible while waiting for emergency help. If you're caring for someone else having a stroke, make sure they're in a safe, comfortable position.

What is the first priority of nursing care for a stroke patient?

Your initial evaluation of a patient with a suspected stroke should include airway, breathing, and circulation, followed by neurologic assessment using either the NIHSS or the mNIHSS, per facility policy.

What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke?

5 Classic Warning Signs of StrokeWeakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, usually on just one side.Difficulty speaking or understanding language.Decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes.Unexplained loss of balance or dizziness.Severe headache with no known cause.

What are the three main causes of strokes?

CausesHigh blood pressure. Your doctor may call it hypertension. ... Tobacco. Smoking or chewing it raises your odds of a stroke. ... Heart disease. This condition includes defective heart valves as well as atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat, which causes a quarter of all strokes among the very elderly. ... Diabetes.

When helping a stroke patient nurse should assist?

While helping a stroke patient, a nurse should stand at the patient's weak side. She should support the weak arm with her hand and grasp the belt at the patient's back. Have patient slide forward to the edge of the bed before attempting to stand. A nurse should always lift with her legs, not her back.

What should you assess for a stroke?

Learn to recognize the symptoms of stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

What is the nursing diagnosis of stroke?

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) more commonly known as a stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage, usually, a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain.

Should you give aspirin to someone having a stroke?

Do's and don'ts if you see someone having a stroke Call 9-1-1 immediately. Paramedics are faster and can recognize when someone is in trouble and needs emergency assistance. Don't: give the person aspirin.

What should I do after mild stroke?

Best Tips on What to Do After a StrokeKnow the warning signs of another stroke. ... Understand your stroke risk factors and manage them appropriately. ... Therapy, therapy, therapy! ... Ask the medical team where you'll go after the hospital. ... Inpatient rehabilitation. ... Anticipate a journey that looks different from others.More items...•

How much aspirin do you take for a stroke?

Low doses of aspirin — such as 75 to 100 milligrams (mg), but most commonly 81 mg —can be effective at preventing heart attack or stroke. Health care providers usually prescribe a daily dose between 75 mg and 325 mg (a regular-strength tablet).

How should you position a person who has had a stroke for recovery?

If you have questions about your health, always contact a health care professional. HOUSTON -- Keeping the head elevated is the favored head position for acute stroke patients, but some studies have indicated that lying flat may improve recovery. A new, international study suggests it may not matter.

Stroke Symptoms

Numbness and weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body

What to Do

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, call 911 as soon as possible.

What Not to Do

In the event of a stroke, there are also several things you should not do, including: 5

After a Stroke

It's essential to keep the home safe for people who are recovering from a stroke. Some of the difficulties that a stroke patient may have include: 6

Summary

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately. The faster the person can get medical attention, the better their chance of recovery. Symptoms to look for include face drooping, arm or leg weakness, limb or face numbness, difficulty speaking, or severe headache with no known cause.

A Word From Verywell

Watching someone experience stroke symptoms can be frightening. But it's crucial to act quickly to ensure the person has the best chance of recovery. If you or someone around you experiences stroke symptoms or any decline in neurological function, call 911 as soon as possible.

What to do if you believe someone has a stroke?

If you believe the person is having a stroke, don’t let them drive to the hospital. Call 911 and wait for help to arrive. Don’t give them any medication. Although aspirin is a blood thinner, don’t give someone aspirin while they’re having a stroke. A blood clot is only one cause of a stroke.

What to do when you call 911 for a stroke?

When you call 911 and request help, notify the operator that you suspect the person is having a stroke. Paramedics will be better prepared to help them, and the hospital can prepare for their arrival. Do keep track of symptoms. Your loved one may be unable to communicate at the hospital, so the more information you can provide, the better.

What happens when you have a stroke?

Do’s and Don’ts When a Loved One Is Experiencing a Stroke. Strokes can happen without warning and typically result from a blood clot in the brain. People experiencing a stroke may suddenly be unable to walk or talk. They may also seem confused and have weakness on one side of their body.

How to talk to someone who has a stroke?

Do talk to the person experiencing a stroke. As you wait for the ambulance to arrive, gather as much information from the person as possible while they’ re still able to communicate. Ask about any medications they’re taking, health conditions they have, and known allergies. Write this information down so you can share it with the doctor, in case your loved one is unable to communicate later on.

How to keep track of symptoms?

Keep a mental or written note of symptoms, including when these symptoms began. Did they start in the last hour, or did you notice symptoms three hours ago ? If the person has known medical conditions, be prepared to share that information with the hospital staff. These conditions might include high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, or diabetes.

Why is it important to act fast after a stroke?

Because a stroke can be life-threatening and lead to permanent disability, it’s important to act fast. If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do during this critical time.

What to do if you can't find a pulse?

If you cannot find a pulse, start performing CPR. If you don’t know how to perform CPR, the 911 operator can walk you through the process until help arrives. Do stay calm. As hard as it might be, try to stay calm throughout this process.

What do you need to do after a stroke?

After a stroke, you may need rehabilitation ( rehab) to help you recover. Before you are discharged from the hospital, social workers can help you find care services and caregiver support to continue your long-term recovery.

What is the best way to get to the hospital for a stroke?

Stroke Treatment. Calling 9-1-1 at the first symptom of stroke can help you get to the hospital in time for lifesaving stroke care. Your stroke treatment begins the moment emergency medical services (EMS) arrives to take you to the hospital. Once at the hospital, you may receive emergency care, treatment to prevent another stroke, ...

What is the best medicine for a stroke?

If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a “clot-busting” drug) to break up blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic. tPA improves the chances of recovering from a stroke.

How to treat hemorrhagic stroke?

Surgical treatment. Hemorrhagic strokes may be treated with surgery. If the bleeding is caused by a ruptured aneurysm, a metal clip may be put in place to stop the blood loss.

What do you ask at a stroke hospital?

At the hospital, health professionals will ask about your medical history and about the time your symptoms started. Brain scans will show what type of stroke you had. You may also work with a neurologist who treats brain disorders, a neurosurgeon that performs surgery on the brain, or a specialist in another area of medicine.

Why do people go to the hospital for stroke?

Stroke patients who are taken to the hospital in an ambulance may get diagnosed and treated more quickly than people who do not arrive in an ambulance. 1 This is because emergency treatment starts on the way to the hospital. The emergency workers may take you to a specialized stroke center to ensure that you receive the quickest possible diagnosis ...

What is needed to stop brain bleed?

Medicine, surgery, or other procedures may be needed to stop the bleeding and save brain tissue. For example:

How to evaluate stroke care?

One way to evaluate the care of patients diagnosed with stroke is to look at the percentage of patients receiving the timely and effective care measures that are appropriate. The goal is 100 percent.

How to reduce risk of stroke?

To decrease your risk of having another stroke or transient ischemic attack, your doctor may recommend a procedure to open up an artery that's narrowed by plaque. Options vary depending on your situation, but include:

What is a cerebral angiogram?

Cerebral angiogram. Cerebral angiogram. A cerebral angiogram showing a carotid aneurysm associated with stroke. A physical exam. Your doctor will do a number of tests you're familiar with, such as listening to your heart and checking your blood pressure. You'll also have a neurological exam to see how a potential stroke is affecting your nervous ...

What is the most common type of stroke?

The most common type of stroke – ischemic – is when a blood vessel is blocked and not enough blood flows to the brain. "Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.".

How to deliver tpa to brain?

Medications delivered directly to the brain. Doctors insert a long, thin tube (catheter) through an artery in your groin and thread it to your brain to deliver tPA directly where the stroke is happening. The time window for this treatment is somewhat longer than for injected tPA, but is still limited.

How does TPA help with stroke?

This drug restores blood flow by dissolving the blood clot causing your stroke. By quickly removing the cause of the stroke, it may help people recover more fully from a stroke. Your doctor will consider certain risks, such as potential bleeding in the brain, to determine if tPA is appropriate for you.

How long do you have to be monitored after a stroke?

After emergency treatment, you'll be closely monitored for at least a day. After that, stroke care focuses on helping you recover as much function as possible and return to independent living. The impact of your stroke depends on the area of the brain involved and the amount of tissue damaged.

What to do after a stroke?

One of the most important things to do after stroke — and never stop doing until you’re reached your fullest recovery — is rehab exercise. Rehab exercise helps rewire the brain and improve mobility long-term. When patients fail to do rehab exercises, their mobility may deteriorate and cause a regression.

How to help a stroke patient recover?

Your dietitian can provide education and personalized dietary advice, suggesting foods that are known to help stroke recovery.

How long does it take for a stroke to heal?

Often, there is spontaneous recovery during the first 3 months after stroke or even later during the recovery process. This means that the brain is naturally healing itself, and can be increased with attention/awareness of the affected side and exercises provided by your therapy team.

What to do after discharge from inpatient therapy?

After discharge from inpatient therapy, therapists usually send patients home with a written sheet of exercises to do on their own . These sheets of exercises have low compliance rates, which means that patients are not getting adequate therapy at home.

What is a support group for stroke survivors?

Support groups provide fellowship with other stroke survivors who understand s exactly what you’re going through. A support group can offer suggestions, resources, social opportunities and friendship.

How many tips are there for a stroke survivor?

Get our free stroke recovery ebook by signing up below! It contains 15 tips every stroke survivor and caregiver must know.

Why is every stroke different?

“ Every stroke is different .” You’ll hear this saying often during the recovery process because the brain is extremely complex; and the side effects of stroke vary greatly from person to person.

What do stroke victims say?

Notes Sozener: “Stroke victims say they felt something was wrong but waited to see if their symptom would go away. People call their friends, do Google searches of their symptom or lie down, hoping it will go away. Other patients tell us they were scared or they don’t like hospitals as reasons for not calling 911.”

What to do if you think you have a stoke?

If you think you might be having a stoke, don’t hesitate or ignore the suspicion. Call 911 and get to an emergency room.

What is the only intravenous drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for ischemic strokes?

Ischemic strokes account for about 87 percent of strokes. In these cases, the patient may be eligible for a clot-busting drug known as alteplase, the only intravenous treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for ischemic strokes.

Is it better to see a patient early or late if they have a stroke?

Even if a patient isn’t sure he or she is having a stroke, it’s better to have a doctor make that determination. “We would much rather see a patient early and be able to rule out stoke than to see them beyond the 4 1/2-hour window and not be able to help them,” Sozener says. “Trust your knowledge of your own body.

What to do if you have a stroke on day 1?

Day 1: Initial Treatment. If you experience a stroke, you will likely be initially admitted to an emergency department to stabilize your condition and determine the type of stroke. If it is caused by a blood clot (ischemic stroke), clot-busting medication can help reduce long-term effects if you are treated in time.

What is the best treatment for stroke?

One innovative technique is noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), which uses weak electrical currents to stimulate areas of the brain associated with specific tasks like movement or speech. This stimulation can help boost the effects of therapy.

Why is speech therapy important?

Speech-language therapy is important for patients who have trouble swallowing due to stroke or aftereffects of having a breathing tube. Therapy sessions are conducted up to six times each day while the patient is at the hospital, which helps evaluate the damage caused by the stroke and jump-start the recovery.

What is rehabilitation in stroke?

The goal of rehabilitation is to restore function as close as possible to prestroke levels or develop compensation strategies to work around a functional impairment. An example of a compensation strategy is learning to hold a toothpaste tube so the strong hand can unscrew the cap.

What are the activities of daily living after a stroke?

Activities of daily living (ADL) become the focus of rehabilitation after a stroke. ADL typically include tasks like bathing or preparing food. But you should also talk with your care team about activities important to you, such as performing a work-related skill or a hobby, to help set your recovery goals.

How long does it take to recover from a stroke?

The 6-Month Mark and Beyond. After six months, improvements are possible but will be much slower. Most stroke patients reach a relatively steady state at this point. For some, this means a full recovery. Others will have ongoing impairments, also called chronic stroke disease.

What are the long term effects of stroke?

The long-term effects of stroke — which vary from person to person, depending on the stroke’s severity and the area of the brain affected — may include: 1 Cognitive symptoms like memory problems and trouble speaking 2 Physical symptoms such as weakness, paralysis and difficulty swallowing 3 Emotional symptoms like depression and impulsivity 4 Heavy fatigue and trouble sleeping

Why do people go to intensive care for strokes?

Sometimes they have to go to intensive care to get frequent neuro checks and vasoactive drips to keep it high enough to preserve that part of their brain. We want to prevent the stroke from getting worse.

What is the priority for an ischemic stroke patient?

One of your main priorities with an ischemic stroke patient is their blood pressure. Typically, the physician will order their blood pressure to be higher than normal. ( Why would I ever want my new patient’s blood pressure to be 190/85!?)

What to do if sternal rub wakes you up?

If your patient needs a sternal rub to wake up and they haven’t been this sleepy, call the doctor immediately. If you think you’re not going to get worried until a pupillary or vital sign change occurs, think again. Those are LATE signs of neurological damage. So doing your neuro checks, as ordered, is essential.

What is the first thing to change in a neuro exam?

If something is changing in their brain, the level of consciousness/mental status is usually the first thing to change.

What to do if your child can't swallow?

Make sure you have an aspirin ordered! You don’t want them to have another stroke! And if they can’t swallow or you think they will not pass their dysphagia screen, ask for an aspirin suppository.

Can patients get upset with NPO?

Then speech came around and said they were aspirating and needed a modified diet. No matter how well you explain it, some patients will still be upset with you. However, their safety is our priority.

Can stroke patients swallow?

Make sure they’ve had a swallow/dysphagia screen before you give them oral intake. A common problem with stroke patients is swallowing. The epiglottis, which is that flap that goes over your trachea and esophagus, can be compromised. This means they can get aspiration pneumonia quite easily (“down the wrong pipe”).