The nurse is planning care for a client with suspected stroke who has just arrived at the emergency department with slurred speech, facial drooping, and right arm weakness that began 1 hour ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate including in the initial plan of care? Select all that apply.

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11ecbb05_ca41_242d_b433_8f3f2a754375_MD0009_00 Strokes may be either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke occurs when circulation to parts of the brain is interrupted by occlusion of cerebral blood vessels by a thrombosis or embolus. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the cranial vault. Both types of stroke result in brain tissue death without prompt treatment. A client with stroke symptoms must have an immediate CT scan or MRI of the head to determine the type and location of the stroke (Option C). Determining exactly when symptoms began is essential for diagnosis and planning treatment. Thrombolytic therapy (eg, alteplase, tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]) is used to dissolve blood clots and restore perfusion to brain tissue in clients with an ischemic stroke unless contraindicated (eg, active bleeding, uncontrolled hypertension, aneurysm). It must be administered within 4.5 hours from onset of symptoms (Option E). A baseline neurologic assessment is essential for tracking ongoing neurologic symptoms that indicate improvement or complications which guide later treatments (Option D). (Options A and B) Consultation with a speech pathologist and providing the family with information about community resources are important later but not during the initial (acute) phase of stroke management. Educational objective: The initial plan of care for a client with an acute stroke should include performing baseline neurologic assessment to begin monitoring neurologic status trend, obtaining an immediate CT scan of the head to determine stroke type, and anticipating administration of thrombolytics (if indicated) within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.

The Nurse Is Planning Care for a Client with Suspected