PART 1: Pathophysiology template
Disease: Ischaemic Stroke
Definition:
An ischaemic stroke of the left dominant cerebral hemisphere is a stroke that occurs when the blood supply to the left side of the brain is obstructed. The blood supply contains nutrients and oxygen for the brain cells. For majority of the people, the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for the control of the right side of and hence its failure affects the right side (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). It is also responsible for the control of speech and language (Hickey, 2009).
Aetiology:
Ischaemic Stroke of the left hemisphere is caused by the occurrence of a blood clot in an artery that transports blood to the left hemisphere of the brain rich in nutrients and oxygen. It is also caused if a blood artery supplying the nutrients and oxygen tears (Bader & Littlejohns, 2004).
Pathogenesis:
When a blood clot occurs in the artery that transports oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells, the brain cannot manufacture sufficient energy casing it to eventually stop functioning. This can result into the death of cell brains making it a critical medical condition. A blood clot can be caused by several things, the most common one being the narrowing of blood arteries in the head due to atherosclerosis (Chang, Daly & Elliott, 2006).
Structural changes:
When Ischaemic stroke of the left hemisphere occurs, it results into paralysis of the right side of the body (Jarvis, 2012). It can also result into slow and cautious behavior in the affected person.
Functional changes:
A person who has been attacked by the Ishaemic Stroke develops problems of language and speech as well as understanding (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). One can also suffer memory loss (Higgs, 2005).
Clinical features:
An individual feels weak on the right side of the body, gets confused, feels dizzy and develops problems of sight as well as psychological problems. On suspicion of the disease the affected should be checked facial and arm weaknesses as well as problems with her speech (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). In case the above symptoms are detected emergency help should be sought immediately (Brown & Edwards, (2012).
Ischaemic stroke can either be mild or severe causing temporary and permanent damages respectively. The condition is common in elderly people above the age of 65 and causes them severe damage which results into long lasting complications as paralysis of the right side of the body and loss of memory and other memory complications. Immediate action is important for those affected as well as regular checks for the factors causing the disease (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council as cited by Porth & Matfin, 2009).
Prognosis:
Living a healthy lifestyle and eating responsibly can reduce the chances of suffering from the condition as it usually happens at the later years of an adult. People with conditions like heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure are likely to suffer from the condition. Avoiding risky situations such as smoking and drinking can avoid one from Ischaemic stroke (Jenkins, Kemnitz & Tortora, 2010).
Diagnosis:
A number of tests are carried put in hospital to determine that the Ischaemic stroke is of the left hemisphere of the brain. The blood pressure will have to be checked and an electrocardiogram will be used to check the heart activity (Jenkins, Kemnitz & Tortora, (2010). The blood sugar and the level of cholesterol will also have to be determined as well as a brain scan to determine stroke.
Treatment:
Depending on the severe effects of the Iscahemic stroke one can either be treated in a specialist stroke unit or in a general ward. Nutirents and medicines are inserted through the nose as oxygen is given through a face mask to aid in breathing. Alteplase medicine is given to break the blood clot and restore blood flow to normal given within four hours after the symptoms appear (Lehne, 2010). Surgery can be recommended on severe cases to treat the stroke.
Prevention:
Controlling certain lifestyles help prevent one from suffering Ischaemic stroke of the left hemisphere; lifestyle such as smoking, excessive drinking physical inactivity illegal drugs as well as those leading into obesity should be managed to avoid the stroke (Brown & Edwards, (2012).
PART 2: Questions related to the case study
Question 1
The arteries that supply blood to the brain are important since the blood in them is rich in nutrients and oxygen which are used for different activities in the brain cell. Cell respiration which is very crucial in production of energy to enable brain cell activities fails. Formation of a blood clot within the arteries blocks the nutrients and oxygen to the brain causing discontinued functioning of the brain cells. An individual feels weak on the right side of the body, gets confused, feels dizzy and develops problems of sight as well as psychological problems (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). When a blood clot occurs in the artery that transports oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells, the brain cannot manufacture sufficient energy causing it to eventually stop functioning. This can result into the death of cell brains making it a critical medical condition. A blood clot can be caused by several things, the most common one being the narrowing of blood arteries in the head due to atherosclerosis (Chang, Daly & Elliott, 2006). Ischaemic stroke can also happen if a blood artery supplying the nutrients and oxygen tears causing a blood clot (Bader & Littlejohns, 2004). This stops the nutrients and oxygen the heart from reaching the brain cells.
When Ischaemic stroke of the left hemisphere occurs, it results into paralysis of the right side of the body (Jarvis, 2012). This is due to the left hemisphere failing to work normally due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. An individual gets weak and hence paralyzed. It can also result into slow and cautious behavior in the affected person due to the weakness caused by the lack of sufficient energy. A person who has been attacked by the Ishaemic Stroke develops problems of language and speech as well as understanding. One can also suffer memory loss. Controlling certain lifestyles help prevent one from suffering Ischaemic stroke of the left hemisphere; lifestyle such as smoking, excessive drinking physical inactivity illegal drugs as well as those leading into obesity should be managed to avoid the stroke. The blood supply contains nutrients and oxygen for the brain cells. For majority of the people, the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for the control of the right side of and hence its failure affects the right side. It is also responsible for the control of speech and language.
Question 2
Question 3
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2010). Australia's health 2010: The 12th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2008). Code of ethics for nurses in Australia.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2008). Code of professional conduct for nurses in Australia.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2006). National competency standards for the registered nurse (4th ed.).
Bader, M. K., & Littlejohns, L. R. (Eds.). (2004). AANN core curriculum for neuroscience nursing (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO:Saunders.
Brown, D., & Edwards, H. (2012). Lewis's medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (3rd ed.). Chatswood, Australia: Elsevier Australia.
Chang, E., Daly, J., & Elliott, D. (Eds.). (2006). Pathophysiology applied to nursing practice. Marrickville, Australia: Elsevier Australia.
Hickey, J. V. (2009). The clinical practice of neurological and neurosurgical nursing (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Higgs, J. (2005). Demonstrating your clinical competence in respiratory disease, diabetes and dermatology. Abingdon,UK: Radcliffe.
Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical examination & health assessment (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders.
Jason , J. V. (2009). The clinical practice of neurological and neurosurgical nursing (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lehne, R. A. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders.
Jenkins, G. W., Kemnitz, C. P., & Tortora, G. J. (2010). Anatomy and physiology: From science to life (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Porth, C. M., & Matfin, G. (Eds.). (2009). Pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
