Question

What potential complications may result in a patient following an acute CVA? How would the nurse manage each complication? What nursing interventions are designed to prevent each complication?

Answer 1

Potential complications following Cerebrovascular accident

Brain edema- swelling of brain due to inflammatory process following hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke

Seizure- Abnormal electrical activity in brain due to brain tissue injury following stroke

Urinary tract infection- Occurs due prolonged used for urinary catheter

Pneumonia- Breathing problem occur due to immobilty. Swallowing problem following stroke will cause aspiration pneumonia

Deep vein thrombosis- Occurs due to prolonged immobilty. There is blood clot formation in deep veins in lower extremities due to poor venous drainage

Limb contracture- Shortening of upper or lower extremities due to reduced ability to move the affected extremities following stroke

Shoulder pain- This occurs due to pulling of shoulders by hanging weak or paralyzed arm following stroke

Bedsore- Occurs due to immobilty

Clinical depression- Temporary unwanted physical and emotional reactions due to changes losses

Nursing interventions to prevent these complications:

To reduce brain edema and seizure- Continuous monitoring of the patient and drug therapy

To reduce shoulder pain, limb contracture and deep vein thrombosis- Range of motion exercises, physical therapy

To prevent bedsore- Changing the position of the patient, back care and care to the pressure points

To reduce the risk of pneumonia- Swallowing and Respiratory therapy and deep breathing exercises

To reduce Urinary tract infections- Aseptic catheter care and perineal care, and Bladder retraining to reduce the use of catheter

To prevent clinical depression- Psychological treatments like anti depressant medications and psychotherapy