Acute ischemic stroke, also known as acute cerebral infarction, is more common in middle-aged and elderly people. It is mainly due to the blockage or narrowing of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the brain. Especially those with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia are more likely to suffer from this disease.
This disease usually has some signs. Due to blockage and narrowing of cerebral blood vessels, the brain often experiences dizziness due to insufficient blood supply. Sometimes, transient cerebral ischemia may occur, such as sudden blackout, fainting on the ground, or sudden inflexibility of hands and feet, unclear speech, etc. These symptoms may disappear in a few minutes, but if not taken seriously, the condition may worsen further.
When acute ischemic stroke suddenly occurs, symptoms may be very obvious. For example, crooked corners of the mouth, unclear speech, choking when drinking water, difficulty swallowing, etc. Some people may also experience a situation where half of their body cannot move. If the blocked blood vessel area is large, it may cause people to lose consciousness, fall into a coma, and even endanger their lives. So nursing care for acute ischemic stroke is very important.
1、 Medication care
Before taking medication, the doctor will evaluate the degree of neurological deficit in the patient and ask if the patient has a history of drug allergies and if they have an allergic constitution. At the same time, nursing staff need to cooperate with doctors in various preparation work, such as weight measurement, blood tests, preparation of electrocardiogram monitoring, oxygen inhalation devices, micro pumps, etc., to ensure the smooth progress of drug treatment.
During the process of drug therapy, closely observe whether the patient has a tendency to bleed, especially when using anticoagulants, defibrillators, and antiplatelet drugs. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the patient's whole blood cell count regularly to detect coagulation dysfunction early. For the drugs used, it is necessary to record the name, dosage, and duration of use of the drugs in detail, so that doctors can understand the patient's medication situation at any time. For certain special drugs, such as 20% mannitol, nursing staff need to master the correct usage method. The intravenous infusion speed of mannitol should be fast, generally 125ml should be dripped within 30 minutes. When using antihypertensive drugs, the patient's blood pressure changes should be closely monitored to avoid a decrease in cerebral blood flow and worsening of infarction symptoms. For the use of antihypertensive drugs, nursing staff need to retest blood pressure once after 30 minutes of use and record the 24-hour intake and output.
During the drug treatment of acute ischemic stroke, some complications may occur, such as increased intracranial pressure. Nursing staff need to closely observe whether patients have consciousness disorders, whether bilateral pupils are equal in size, whether there are symptoms of intracranial hypertension such as headache and jet vomiting, and keep monitoring records. Once an abnormal situation is detected, the doctor should be notified promptly for treatment.
2、 Dietary care
Low salt, low-fat, low sugar, easily digestible light diet, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, fish, and beans. Avoid high-fat, high sugar, high cholesterol, and pickled foods to reduce fluctuations in blood lipids and blood sugar, lower blood viscosity, and prevent the risk of recurrent stroke.
Eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole wheat bread, oats, brown rice, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Dietary fiber helps reduce cholesterol, improve intestinal function, and prevent constipation.
Increase the intake of high-quality protein in moderation, such as fish, lean meat, beans, eggs, etc. Protein is an essential nutrient for body repair and rehabilitation, which helps promote the recovery of patients.
According to the actual situation of the patient, control the amount and speed of food intake, and avoid overeating or rapid eating. For patients with swallowing difficulties or consciousness disorders, nasal feeding or intravenous nutritional support can be provided.
Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of food, and avoid consuming expired, spoiled, or unclean food. At the same time, pay attention to the disinfection and cleaning of tableware to prevent food poisoning and infection.
3、 Lifestyle adjustment
Regular sleep schedule. Patients need to maintain a regular sleep schedule and ensure sufficient sleep every day. Good sleep helps to restore physical and mental strength, and is crucial for the stability and recovery of the condition.
Under the guidance of a doctor or rehabilitation therapist, patients can engage in moderate exercise such as walking, Tai Chi, etc. Exercise helps improve blood circulation and enhance physical fitness, but it is important to avoid intense exercise and overwork.
For patients with a history of smoking and drinking, they should resolutely quit smoking and drinking. Smoking and alcohol can cause damage to the body and increase the risk of stroke.
Avoid excessive excitement, anxiety, and other negative emotional stimuli, and maintain emotional stability. Psychological adjustments can be made appropriately, such as reading books, listening to music, watching news, etc., to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Follow the doctor's advice to take medication regularly and in moderation, and do not change the dosage or stop taking medication at will. At the same time, it is necessary to regularly visit the hospital for examination and follow-up, so that doctors can timely understand the condition and adjust the treatment plan.
Patients can make necessary modifications to their home environment as needed, such as removing thresholds, installing handrails, etc., to facilitate mobility. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain indoor cleanliness, hygiene, and good ventilation to create a comfortable and safe living environment.
4、 Rehabilitation exercise
Develop targeted limb function exercise plans based on the patient's degree of hemiplegia and limb function status. Such as muscle strength training, joint mobility training, balance training, etc., to gradually restore the patient's limb function.
For patients with language and cognitive impairments, language and cognitive rehabilitation training is necessary. This includes training in oral expression, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing, as well as training in attention, memory, and thinking abilities.
Assist patients in gradually restoring their daily living abilities, such as dressing, eating, washing, toileting, etc. This requires developing personalized training plans based on the actual situation of the patient, and gradually increasing the difficulty and complexity of the training.
Stroke patients often have varying degrees of psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, etc. Therefore, psychological rehabilitation is also a very important part. Patients can be helped to adjust their mentality, build confidence, and actively face the rehabilitation process through psychological counseling, psychotherapy, and other methods.
5、 Preventing recurrence
Stroke is not a one-time event and may recur. After the patient recovers, we still need to pay attention to their health condition and help them take preventive measures. For example, regularly monitoring physiological indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, taking medication according to medical advice, and changing unhealthy lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking, drinking, eating a balanced diet, and exercising in moderation. Through these efforts, we can greatly reduce the risk of patients experiencing another stroke.