Describing Ischaemic Stroke to Patients and Healthcare Professionals

[Topic: Ischaemic Stroke]
Communicating in the workplace
Describing Ischaemic Stroke to a patient or family member
The disease condition that has been chosen for description is the ischaemic stroke. An
Ischaemic stroke is said to occur when a blockage occurs within an artery that
communicates with the brain. Ischemic stroke can be triggered by a number of diseases. The
problem causes narrowing of the arteries with the head and neck region. The narrowing of
the arteries is caused due to the deposition of cholesterol within the artery, a condition also
known as atherosclerosis (Nucleus Medical Media 2019). A number of lifestyle factors
triggers the onset of the disorder and include habits such as consumption of street drugs.
Also, traumatic injury caused to the blood vessels around the neck could lead to the
disorder.
Describing Ischaemic Stroke to a Nurse
According to a report published by Wardlaw et al. (2014), it has been estimated that
Ischaemic stroke causes a total of 8,200 deaths across Australia. Ischaemic stroke can be
precisely referred to as a brain attack that is caused when substantial blood flow does not
reach to the brain cells and there is a lack of oxygen supply within the brain.
As stated by Sandercock, Counsell and Kane (2015), care professionals are expected to
lower the death or disability risk from stroke by actively regulating the risk factors that lead
to the stroke and be aware of the warning signs and symptoms. According to a research
conducted by Emberson et al. (2014), the warning signs of Ischaemic stroke includes the
following:

 Patient experiences numbness or weakness within the arm, leg or face or numbness
is restricted to one side of the body
 Patient experiences sudden confusion is unable to frame appropriate speech or
respond to speech appropriately
 Experiences problems with clear vision
 Experiences problems related to improper balance and coordination and feels dizzy
 Experiences headache without an underlined cause
 Double vision
 Drowsiness
 Vomiting and nausea
Upon recovery, a multidisciplinary team should be involved for rehabilitation which
must comprise of a physician, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychiatrist,
Dietician, nurse and a dietician, depending upon the recovery needs of the patient
(Mayoclinic.org 2019).
Throughout the care process, the nurses must empathise with the family members and
adapt a person-centred approach to care for the patient (Mayoclinic.org 2019).
Additionally, after recovery the care process should be planned by actively partnering with
the patient and the family members in order to ensure effective decision making and
positive recovery.
Describing Ischaemic stroke to a Doctor:
Doctors upon attending a patient in the emergency department must essentially
identify the type of stroke with the help of a diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic tests and
procedures that can help in the identification of an Ischaemic stroke includes, physical
examination of the patient, CT scan, blood tests (documenting rate at which blood clots,

blood glucose level and percentage of blood components), MRI, Carotid Ultrasound,
Cerebral angiogram as well as an Echocardiogram. The primary treatment intervention must
comprise of commencing clot-busting medication after analysing the diagnostic tests.
Further as per Sandercock et al. (2015), administering intravenous injection of tissue
plasminogen activator can help in dissolving the blood flow and restore normal blood clot.
Additionally, emergency endovascular procedures such as delivering direct medication to
the brain and removal of clot with a stent retriever can be commenced in consultation to
ensure effective blood circulation. It is important to reduce subsequent recurrence of a
stroke and this can be ensured with the commencement of carotid endarterectomy and
angioplasty (Sandercock et al. 2015).
Carotid endarectomy involves removal of plaque from arteries that run along the
adjacent sides of the neck to the brain. The procedure is followed by making an incision on
the frontal portion of the neck and opening the carotid artery and then removal of the
plaque that blocks the carotid artery. The surgeon then repairs the artery by a patch made
from the vein, by using an artificial graft or through stitches. The procedure involves risks in
patients who have cardiovascular issues. The angioplasty procedure involves assessing the
carotid arteries through the groin. The carotid arteries are then assessed within the neck. An
inflated balloon is used to expand the artery and a stent is inserted to provide support to
the opened artery.
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