A stroke is defined as a brain attack, interfering with blood flow and oxygen to the brain. In the United States, stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke, for the year 2010, was $73.7 billion dollars. Fast forward nearly a decade, and that number grew to a global prevalence of stroke in 2019 of nearly 101.5 million people, with ischemic strokes occurring in nearly 77.8 million people. Additionally, there were a reported 6.6 million deaths attributable to cerebrovascular disease worldwide in 2019. Approximately 795,000 strokes occur yearly, and can happen to anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age. An estimated two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent damage. According to the American Heart Association, stroke ranks No. 5 among all causes of death in the US, causing 147,810 deaths in 2018.
Thus, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a possible stroke, and to seek immediate medical care to reduce the risk of death or non-reversible disability.
Course Publication Date:
September 26, 2021
This course is available with
NO ADDITIONAL FEE if you have an active
one year unlimited membership!
Author: | Maureen Sullivan-Tevault RN, BSN, CEN, CDCES |
Course No: | INSTROKE-21 |
Contact Hours: | 3.00 |
Delivery Method: | Online Self Study |
Category: | Critical Care Medicine
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Learning Objectives
Identify signs and symptoms of a stroke, and appropriate emergency treatment
Differentiate the difference between a stroke and a transient ischemic attack (T.I.A.)
Describe the differences between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for stroke
Explain how lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of stroke
Calculate the appropriate dose of t-PA for treatment of ischemic stroke
List the appropriate members of a (stroke) rehabilitation team
Discuss the N.I.H. stroke scale and its use in evaluation of stroke severity
Describe measures to decrease the risk of a recurrent stroke (“secondary prevention”)