Stroke: Comprehensive Acute Stroke Care

Upon completion of this continuing education course, you will demonstrate an understanding of the anatomical alterations, pathophysiology, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment options, emphasizing acute care and initial rehabilitation, for patients who have experienced a stroke. Specific learning objectives to address potential knowledge gaps include:

• Review stroke epidemiology.
• Identify risk factors, triggers, and effects of stroke.
• Discuss major classifications, including pathophysiology and clinical presentation.
• Describe the components of prehospital and emergency department evaluation and management.
• Discuss the guidelines for early treatment and management of patients with acute stroke.
• Identify the complications and associated interventions that may occur during the intensive care unit (ICU) care of acute stroke patients.
• Summarize hospital nursing management for stroke patients beyond 24 hours.
• Identify assessment, interventions, and goals of physical, occupational, and speech-language stroke rehabilitation in the acute setting.
• List actions to be taken in the prevention of secondary stroke.