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A patient recovering from a stroke has severe shoulder pain from subluxation of the shoulder and is being cared for on the unit. To prevent further injury and pain, the nurse caring for this patient is aware of what principle of care?
- A. The patient should be fitted with a cast because use of a sling should be avoided due to adduction of the affected shoulder.
- B. Elevation of the arm and hand can lead to further complications associated with edema.
- C. Passively exercising the affected extremity is avoided to minimize pain.
- D. The patient should be taught to interlace fingers, place palms together, and slowly bring scapulae forward to avoid excessive force to shoulder.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Interlacing fingers and moving scapulae forward safely exercises the shoulder, reducing subluxation pain. Slings are used, elevation prevents edema, and passive exercise is beneficial.
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A nurse in the ICU is providing care for a patient who has been admitted with a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse is performing frequent neurologic assessments and observes that the patient is becoming progressively more drowsy over the course of the day. What is the nurses best response to this assessment finding?
- A. Report this finding to the physician as an indication of decreased metabolism.
- B. Provide more stimulation to the patient and monitor the patient closely.
- C. Recognize this as the expected clinical course of a hemorrhagic stroke.
- D. Report this to the physician as a possible sign of clinical deterioration.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Increasing drowsiness indicates possible deterioration in hemorrhagic stroke, requiring immediate physician notification. It is not expected or due to metabolism, and stimulation is contraindicated.
A patient is brought by ambulance to the ED after suffering what the family thinks is a stroke. The nurse caring for this patient is aware that an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy is what?
- A. Evidence of hemorrhagic stroke
- B. Blood pressure of 180/110 mm Hg
- C. Evidence of stroke evolution
- D. Previous thrombolytic therapy within the past 12 months
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in hemorrhagic stroke due to bleeding risk. High BP, stroke evolution, or prior thrombolytic use are not absolute contraindications.
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with an ischemic stroke and knows that effective positioning of the patient is important. Which of the following should be integrated into the patients plan of care?
- A. The patients hip joint should be maintained in a flexed position.
- B. The patient should be in a supine position unless ambulating.
- C. The patient should be placed in a prone position for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
- D. The patient should be placed in a Trendelenberg position two to three times daily to promote cerebral perfusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prone positioning with pelvic support promotes hip extension, preventing contractures. Flexed hips, supine-only positioning, and Trendelenberg are inappropriate.
A patient diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke has been admitted to the neurologic ICU. The nurse knows that teaching for the patient and family needs to begin as soon as the patient is settled on the unit and will continue until the patient is discharged. What will family education need to include?
- A. How to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke
- B. Risk factors for ischemic stroke
- C. How to correctly modify the home environment
- D. Techniques for adjusting the patients medication dosages at home
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Home environment modifications support the patient's disability needs post-stroke. Stroke differentiation and medication adjustments are not family responsibilities.
As a member of the stroke team, the nurse knows that thrombolytic therapy carries the potential for benefit and for harm. The nurse should be cognizant of what contraindications for thrombolytic therapy? Select all that apply.
- A. INR above 1.0
- B. Recent intracranial pathology
- C. Sudden symptom onset
- D. Current anticoagulation therapy
- E. Symptom onset greater than 3 hours prior to admission
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Recent intracranial pathology, anticoagulation (INR >1.7), and symptom onset >3 hours are thrombolytic contraindications. INR above 1.0 is too low, and sudden onset is not a contraindication.)