Question

J.S. is a 72-year-old woman with a long history of atherosclerosis. One afternoon, her grandson found her sitting in a chair staring blankly into space. She was leaning to the right, drooling, and had been incontinent of urine. She was able to focus her eyes on him when he spoke to her, but she was unable to verbalize a response. She was transported to the local hospital and diagnosed with a stroke.

Discussion Questions

1. 1. What questions could be asked of J. S.’s family to help determine the cause of her stroke as thrombotic, embolic, or hemorrhagic (i.e., questions to assess risk factors for each type of stroke)?

1. 2. Based on the scenario described above, which brain hemisphere (left or right) suffered the ischemic damage? What other manifestations of this stroke location would likely be apparent?

1. 3. What medical therapies might be used to manage this current stroke and/or to prevent another one?

1. 4. What information might be appropriate to give J.S.’s family about the expected recovery process after stroke?

Answer 1

1, Ask J.S's family how long this symptoms persist?

Because thrombotic stroke due to atherosclerosis often have minimal symptoms because small part of the brain is affected..

In embolic stroke Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a short episode stroke like symtoms..this symptoms appear suddenly and get better over few minutes or hours..it last less than 30minutes..

2, she was leaning to the right,so left side of the brain hemisphere shows the Ischemic damage.. because left hemisphere controls the right side of the body,it can often impair both speech production and the interpretation of word based information..there will be symptoms of Aphasia, visual impairments, dropping of the eyelids, inability to move quickly, confusion and poor bowel and bladder control..

3, medical therapist will control the blood pressure and cholesterol levels, medication to prevent blood clots aspirin and coumadin and administration of vitamin B6, or folic acid to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke..

4, provide information about rehabilitation and how it improves or restore her speech, cognitive,motor, or sensory skills..explain about diet control, medication follow up, regular exercise can increase the chance of successful recovery..