Del Carmen, Kirstin BSN 3-C

Guide Questions for Cerebrovascular Accident

1. What may be the reasons for the patient to acquire this condition?
A blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a leaking or bursting blood vessel are the two
most common causes of stroke (hemorrhagic stroke). A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a
momentary disruption of blood flow to the brain that does not cause permanent symptoms
in some persons.

2. What has been done to the patient to treat his condition? Identify and discuss specific
managements (medically and surgically) that were done to the patient
CT scan is ideal for identifying whether the stroke is hemorrhagic or ischemic. If
there is blood in the skull due to a hemorrhage, a stroke CT scan can detect it immediately,
ensuring this condition is treated the right way.
MRI with diffusion is quickly becoming the gold standard in acute stroke imaging.
Once a hemorrhagic stroke has been excluded by CT, MR diffusion improves stroke detection
from 50% to more than 95%.Diffusion MR noninvasively detects ischemic changes within
minutes of stroke onset.
A cerebral arteriogram is used to look for changes in the blood vessels within or
leading to the brain. When blood vessels are blocked, narrowed, damaged or abnormal in
any way, problems including stroke may occur.

3. What is the difference between a TIA and a stroke?

A TIA is a temporary interruption in blood flow to a part of the brain that does not
result in permanent brain damage, while A Stroke is an interruption of blood flow to a part
of the brain that lasts long enough to cause lasting damage. It can be caused by a blockage
or rupture of the arteries that feed the brain with oxygen and nutrients.

4. What is the difference between a thrombotic stroke and an embolic stroke?

A blood clot (thrombus) in an artery leading to the brain causes thrombotic strokes.
When a clot forms elsewhere (typically in the heart or neck arteries), it travels through the
bloodstream and clogs a blood vessel in or leading to the brain, an embolic stroke occurs.

5. What are two types of hemorrhages that can occur in a hemorrhagic stroke?
Intracranial hemorrhages occur when there is bleeding within the brain and
Subarachnoid hemorrhages occur when the brain and the membranes that surround it
bleed.