Role of the nurse in stroke rehabilitation.

Clare CS1.
Author information
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult disability in the UK. A stroke can have significant
negative effects on the lives of patients and their families and carers. While improved stroke
management has contributed to a reduction in mortality and improved outcomes following
rehabilitation, the incidence of stroke continues to rise in the UK, partly because of the ageing
population. Stroke rehabilitation involves a multidisciplinary approach, with nurses performing a
central role. This article describes the risk factors and types of stroke, the main areas of stroke
rehabilitation and the role of the nurse. It emphasises that providing support to families and carers is
a particularly important element of caring for people who have experienced a stroke.
KEYWORDS:
cardiovascular, cardiovascular diseases; dysphagia; gastroenterology; gastrointestinal
disorders; pain; patients; prevention; public health; reablement; recovery; rehabilitation; stroke;
transient ischaemic attack

Do primary health
care nurses address cardiovascular risk in diabetes
patients?
Daly B1, Kenealy T2, Arroll B2, Sheridan N3, Scragg R4.
Author information
Abstract
AIMS:
To identify factors associated with assessment and nursing management of blood pressure, smoking
and other major cardiovascularrisk factors by primary health care nurses in Auckland, New Zealand.

METHODS:
Primary health care nurses (n = 287) were randomly sampled from the total (n=1091) identified
throughout the Auckland region and completed a self-administered questionnaire (n = 284) and
telephone interview. Nurses provided details for 86% (n =265) of all diabetes patients they consulted
on a randomly selected day.
RESULTS:
The response rate for nurses was 86%. Of the patients sampled, 183 (69%) patients had their blood
pressure measured, particularly if consulted by specialist (83%) and practice
(77%) nurses compared with district (23%, p = 0.0003). After controlling for demographic variables,
multivariate analyses showed patients consulted by nurses who had identified stroke as a major
diabetes-related complication were more likely to have their blood pressure measured, and those
consulted by district nurses less likely. Sixteen percent of patients were current smokers. Patients
consulted by district nurses were more likely to smoke while, those >66 years less likely. Of those
who wished to stop, only 50% were offered nicotine replacement therapy. Patients were significantly
more likely to be advised on diet and physical activity if they had their blood pressure measured (p <
0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Measurement of blood pressure and advice on diet or physical activity were not related to
patient's cardiovascular risk profile and management of smoking cessation was far from ideal.
Education of the community-based nursing workforce is essential to ensure cardiovascular risk
management becomes integrated into diabetes management.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:
Blood pressure; Diabetes; Prevention; Primary health care nurses; Smoking

PMID:

25271111

DOI:

10.1016/j.diabres.2014.08.031