Stroke Awareness

Know what a stroke is.

Changes in the brain associated with a stroke may include:

• blood supply to the brain is interrupted 
• brain cells are starved of oxygen and essential nutrients
• some brains cells may die and others may be damaged.

Conditions that may be mistaken for stroke may include:

• indigestion
• muscular strain.

Differences between stroke and TIA may include:

• The symptoms are very similar but with a TIA the symptoms pass
• A TIA can last from minutes to hours but do not last longer than 24 hours.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1
  Identify the changes in the brain associated with stroke.
  
• 1.2
  Outline other conditions that may be mistaken for stroke.
• 1.3
  Define the differences between stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA).

Know how to recognise stroke.

Signs and symptoms of stroke may include:

• one side of the face drops
• can't smile
• weakness in arm
• slurred or muddled speech.

Key stages of stroke may include:

• initial symptoms are observed
• condition deteriorates
• blood clots may form
• need to act quickly.

Assessment tests for strokes may include:

• blood tests to determine cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• check pulse for irregular heart beat
• blood pressure measurement
• brain scan e.g. CT or MRI
• swallow tests to make sure person can swallow properly
• heart and blood vessel tests e.g. ECG or ultrasound scan.

Potential changes may include:

• difficulty with speech
• mobility issues due to numbness or paralysis.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1
  List the signs and symptoms of stroke.
  
• 2.2
  Identify the key stages of stroke.
• 2.3
  Identify the assessment tests that are available to enable listing of the signs and symptoms.
  
• 2.4

  Describe the potential changes that an individual may experience as a result of stroke.

Understand the management of risk factors for stroke.

Learners need to research prevalence of stroke in the UK to gather up-to-date information. Stroke occurs approximately 152,000 times a year in the UK; one every 3 minutes and 27 seconds (Source: January 2016 Stroke Association).

Common risk factors of stroke may include:

• lifestyle e.g. obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, drinking
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol levels
• diabetes
• family history.

Examples of how risk factors may vary in different settings may include:

• service users in residential care homes are more at risk due to age factors
• research is suggesting that active young men are at risk due to undetected heart conditions
• some service users may be more at risk due to heart conditions such as Down's Syndrome.

Reducing the risk of stroke may include:

• change lifestyle
• review diet to reduce cholesterol levels
• control diabetes
• have regular check-ups if there is a family history.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1
  State the prevalence of stroke in the UK.
  
• 3.2
  Identify the common risk factors for stroke.
• 3.3
  Describe how risk factors may vary in different settings.
• 3.4
  Define the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of stroke and subsequent stroke.

Understand the importance of emergency response and treatment for stroke.

Reason stroke is a medical emergency may include:

• deterioration can be fast
• stroke can result in permanent damage
• treatment is more effective in first three to four hours.

Actions to take in response to an emergency stroke incident may include:

• carry out the 'fast' test i.e. face, arms, speech
• if any one of the signs is evident then call 999
• if in doubt seek medical help.

The impact on the individual may include:

• temporary or permanent physical disability
• inability to communicate
• difficulty expressing thoughts
• frustrated, depressed, anxious, scared.

Correct airway management for stroke:

• when someone has a stroke their airway may be at risk due to potential loss of muscle control
• tongue can fall back and block airway making breathing difficult
• if first person on scene, follow first aid procedures
• if necessary, tilt head and lift chin to move tongue forward.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1
  Describe why stroke is a medical emergency.
  
• 4.2
  Describe the actions to be taken in response to an emergency stroke incident in line with agreed ways of working.
  
• 4.3
  Identify the impact on the individual of the key stages of stroke.
• 4.4
  Identify the correct early positioning for airway management.
• 4.5
  Identify the information that needs to be included in reporting relevant and accurate history of the incident.

Understand the management of stroke.

Reasons for effective stroke care may include:

• reduce risk of further injury
• increase the possibility of the re-use of limbs or speech
• improved quality of life
• reduce possibility of further strokes.

Support available may include:

• own medical practice
• occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech therapist
• social worker.

Other agencies or resources may include:

• charity organisations e.g. Stroke Association, Rainbow Trust, Headway.

Assessment Criteria

• 5.1
  Describe why effective stroke care is important to the management of stroke.
  
• 5.2
  Identify support available to individuals and others affected by stroke.
• 5.3

  Identify other agencies or resources to signpost individual or others for additional support and guidance.