A stroke is when blood flow to an area of the brain is halted by a rupture of a blood vessel. When the blood flow decreases or stops supplying oxygen to the brain, cells begin to die. Signs and symptoms of a brain attack or cerebral vascular accident (CVA) may include weakness of an arm, leg or one side of the body, and they may lose memory or the ability to speak. (Falkner et al., 2022) Losing one of the ability to move one side of your body or limp is extremely stressful and frustrating for the patient and family. Family members will now need to provide much more support to the loved one with eating, walking, and activities in daily living. The nurse’s role in helping to identify a stroke patient is critical and imperative for a fastacting assessment. Nurses have an acronym called FAST, that identifies the face, arms, speech and time. It is critical that CVA patients are diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptom. If left untreated, CVA’s may lead to permanent lifelong effects or even death. Nurses have a big job in when caring for patients, providing emotional support not only to the patient but also the family. They often are worried, scared, confused and some are very uneducated and need lots of attention. As a nurse we need to be cautious with the terms we use when speaking to them, as they may not always be familiar with the medical terminology and some may know to much and even challenge the nurses knowledge. The statement I can relate to from the “Statement on Human Flourishing” the one I can resignate with and believe it’s touches a nurses purpose. The Christian worldview situates humankind within a world masterfully designed by a good God who formed men and women with intentionality, endowing them with value, dignity, and significance.
Falkner, A., Johnson, A., Randall, J., & Whitney, S. (2022). CLINICAL APPLICATIONS FOR CLIENT HEALTH: Pathophysiology (S. Z. Green, Ed.; 2nd ed.). GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY.
Powers, W. J., Rabinstein, A. A., Ackerson, T., Adeoye, O. M., Bambakidis, N. C., Becker, K., Biller, J., Brown, M., Demaerschalk, B. M., Hoh, B., Jauch, E. C., Kidwell, C. S., LeslieMazwi, T. M., Ovbiagele, B., Scott, P. A., Sheth, K. N., Southerland, A. M., Summers, D. V., & Tirschwell, D. L. (2019). Guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: 2019 update to the 2018 guidelines for the early management of acute ischemic stroke: A guideline for healthcare professionals from the american heart association/american stroke association. Stroke, 50(12).