Pathophysiology and pharmacology of cerebrovascular accident: A case study
Added on 2023-06-04
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Running head: CASE STUDY
Pathophysiology and pharmacology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
Pathophysiology and pharmacology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
1CASE STUDY
Introduction
A paramedic professional is a highly skilled and trained medical professional having the
necessary education to conduct the major responsibilities of a physician. The primary role of a
paramedic is associated with examination, evaluation, and treatment of patients with necessary
medications and equipment that are usually found in hospital emergency departments. Nursing
assessment refers to the process that facilitates the gathering of relevant clinical information
about the psychological, physical, sociological, and spiritual condition of a client, and is usually
conducted by registered or licensed nursing professionals (Giger, 2016). Owing to the fact that
such nursing assessments are an integral to the first phase of providing nursing care to a service
user, it should be considered as the foundation of a care plan. Thus, the primary aim of assessing
a patient in a holistic manner is to get a sound understanding of the underlying conditions and
formulating a care plan in accordance to the patient needs.
Cerebrovascular accident
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly referred to as stroke refers to the medical
condition where there occurs poor flow of blood to the human brain, thereby resulting in death of
the brain cells (Kim, Baumgartner & Clements, 2013). The case study is about a septuagenarian,
Mr. Sam Kwon, who had been admitted by a paramedic professional in the hospital. Some of his
presenting complaints were hemiparalysis in the right side of the body, facial drooping and
aphasia. Furthermore, the patient’s medical history suggested previous instances of hypertension,
congestive heart failure, besides diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The patient was found to be under
the prescribed medication of oral hypoglycaemic agents and was an active smoker for not less
than 40 years. Some of his signs and symptoms, following admission to the hospital were early
Introduction
A paramedic professional is a highly skilled and trained medical professional having the
necessary education to conduct the major responsibilities of a physician. The primary role of a
paramedic is associated with examination, evaluation, and treatment of patients with necessary
medications and equipment that are usually found in hospital emergency departments. Nursing
assessment refers to the process that facilitates the gathering of relevant clinical information
about the psychological, physical, sociological, and spiritual condition of a client, and is usually
conducted by registered or licensed nursing professionals (Giger, 2016). Owing to the fact that
such nursing assessments are an integral to the first phase of providing nursing care to a service
user, it should be considered as the foundation of a care plan. Thus, the primary aim of assessing
a patient in a holistic manner is to get a sound understanding of the underlying conditions and
formulating a care plan in accordance to the patient needs.
Cerebrovascular accident
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly referred to as stroke refers to the medical
condition where there occurs poor flow of blood to the human brain, thereby resulting in death of
the brain cells (Kim, Baumgartner & Clements, 2013). The case study is about a septuagenarian,
Mr. Sam Kwon, who had been admitted by a paramedic professional in the hospital. Some of his
presenting complaints were hemiparalysis in the right side of the body, facial drooping and
aphasia. Furthermore, the patient’s medical history suggested previous instances of hypertension,
congestive heart failure, besides diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The patient was found to be under
the prescribed medication of oral hypoglycaemic agents and was an active smoker for not less
than 40 years. Some of his signs and symptoms, following admission to the hospital were early
2CASE STUDY
oedema, CVA in the left part of the brain, homonymous hemianopia, and increased blood sugar
levels. Thus, it can be suggested that the CVA that the client is suffering from is a neurological
deficit associated with a cerebrovascular reason that is found to persist or more than 24 hours
(WHO, 2014). The condition most often gets interrupted within 24 hours, and subsequently
results in death of the affected people. Therefore, an analysis of the initial signs and symptoms
indicate that Mr. Kwon is at a high risk of death and other co-morbidities, if not treated properly.
Pathophysiology
Ischemic stroke is generally found to occur due to lack of adequate blood supply to
different regions of the brain, thereby resulting in an initiation of the major ischemic cascade.
The ischemic cascade commonly refers to a sequence of biochemical reactions that are triggered
in the brain and different aerobic tissues, following an ischemia attack (Trachtenberg et al.,
2015). This is mostly secondary to all forms of CVA, and cardiac arrest. This leads to death of
most ischemic neurons, due to chemical activation. Following disruption of blood supply for 60-
90 seconds, the neuronal tissues usually cease to perform their normal functions (Mastoris et al.,
2014). Deprivation of the much needed oxygen for more than three hours leads to the onset of
infarction and/or tissue death. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are found to play an important
role in influencing the cerebral vascular tone. Superoxide, the anion has been found to influence
either a constriction or a dilation of the cerebral arteries (Brown & Griendling, 2015).
Furthermore, the ischemic CVA is also caused due to thrombosis, focal hypoperfusion
and embolism. The fact that the client has hypertension can be attributed as a major contributing
factor to the condition. Uncontrolled elevated blood pressure results in the onset of stroke by
weakening and damaging the blood vessels that innervate the brain, thereby leading to a
narrowing of the vessels (Wu et al., 2015). This eventually contributes to a leak or rupture.
oedema, CVA in the left part of the brain, homonymous hemianopia, and increased blood sugar
levels. Thus, it can be suggested that the CVA that the client is suffering from is a neurological
deficit associated with a cerebrovascular reason that is found to persist or more than 24 hours
(WHO, 2014). The condition most often gets interrupted within 24 hours, and subsequently
results in death of the affected people. Therefore, an analysis of the initial signs and symptoms
indicate that Mr. Kwon is at a high risk of death and other co-morbidities, if not treated properly.
Pathophysiology
Ischemic stroke is generally found to occur due to lack of adequate blood supply to
different regions of the brain, thereby resulting in an initiation of the major ischemic cascade.
The ischemic cascade commonly refers to a sequence of biochemical reactions that are triggered
in the brain and different aerobic tissues, following an ischemia attack (Trachtenberg et al.,
2015). This is mostly secondary to all forms of CVA, and cardiac arrest. This leads to death of
most ischemic neurons, due to chemical activation. Following disruption of blood supply for 60-
90 seconds, the neuronal tissues usually cease to perform their normal functions (Mastoris et al.,
2014). Deprivation of the much needed oxygen for more than three hours leads to the onset of
infarction and/or tissue death. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are found to play an important
role in influencing the cerebral vascular tone. Superoxide, the anion has been found to influence
either a constriction or a dilation of the cerebral arteries (Brown & Griendling, 2015).
Furthermore, the ischemic CVA is also caused due to thrombosis, focal hypoperfusion
and embolism. The fact that the client has hypertension can be attributed as a major contributing
factor to the condition. Uncontrolled elevated blood pressure results in the onset of stroke by
weakening and damaging the blood vessels that innervate the brain, thereby leading to a
narrowing of the vessels (Wu et al., 2015). This eventually contributes to a leak or rupture.
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