Principles for nursing practice : stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Stroke is a debilitating condition and an enormous personal and economic burden for not only the survivor and their loved ones but also society as whole. It is often sudden in onset, leaving long-lasting effects from which the individual may never fully recover. Despite the insidious nature of stroke, its modifiable risk factors are well known and so too are its long-term ramifications. This chapter discusses stroke incidence, signs and symptoms, pre-hospital care, diagnosis, types, acute care and rehabilitation issues that may arise during the trajectory of care. Two case studies will also be presented to demonstrate care priorities for two very different types of stroke.