Outline the signs and symptoms an individual with this diagnosis of stroke may experience,…

Outline the signs and symptoms an individual with this diagnosis of stroke may experience, indicating how this will impact your nursing care, and interventions that you can provide
Common signs and symptoms
Sudden unilateral weakness or numbness
of the face, arm or leg (often facial droop or arm drift)
Speech and language problems
— aphasia (expressive or receptive), dysarthria, slurred speech
Visual disturbances
— loss of vision in one or both eyes, diplopia, visual field deficits
Sudden confusion or altered mental status
— difficulty understanding or responding
Sudden severe headache
(more suggestive of haemorrhagic stroke) often with vomiting or reduced consciousness
Vertigo, ataxia or loss of coordination
and balance problems
Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
and increased aspiration risk
Neglect
or inattention to one side of the body (common with right hemispheric stroke)
Incontinence
or sudden changes in bladder/bowel control
How these signs and symptoms impact nursing care
Airway and breathing:
speech impairment, reduced consciousness or bulbar signs increase aspiration and airway compromise risk — airway assessment and monitoring are priorities.
Communication barriers:
aphasia or dysarthria requires alternative communication methods and patience; standard history/consent processes may be affected.
Mobility and safety:
unilateral weakness, ataxia and neglect raise fall and injury risk; need for assistance with transfers, mobility aids and supervision.
Nutritional care:
dysphagia necessitates NPO status until formal swallow assessment; risk of malnutrition and dehydration.
Sensory and perceptual deficits:
neglect and visual field loss require safety measures and environment modification.
Neurological monitoring:
stroke evolution or complications (raised ICP, hemorrhagic transformation) require frequent NIHSS/neurological observations and timely escalation.
Medication management:
thrombolysis eligibility, anticoagulation decisions, BP and glucose control affect nursing tasks and monitoring.
Skin integrity and continence:
immobility increases pressure injury and incontinence care needs.
Psycho-social needs:
sudden disability, communication loss and mood changes require emotional support and family education.
Key nursing interventions
Immediate assessment and activation:
Use FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and hospital stroke pathway; call the stroke team or activate emergency protocol immediately.
Assess airway, breathing, circulation; provide oxygen only if hypoxic.
Obtain rapid glucose to rule out hypo/hyperglycaemia mimicking stroke.
Stabilisation and monitoring:
Continuous vital signs and frequent neurological observations (document changes, use NIHSS if available).
Establish IV access, prepare for CT scan; assist with rapid transfer to imaging.
Monitor ECG and cardiac status (cardioembolic sources, arrhythmias).
Facilitate definitive treatment:
Prepare patient for thrombolysis if within eligibility window (usual IV tPA window up to 4.5 hours, local protocols apply), ensure informed consent and checklist completion.
Coordinate urgent neurointerventional assessment for possible thrombectomy (time windows and selection criteria per local protocol).
Airway, swallowing and nutrition management:
Keep patient NPO until formal swallow screen by trained staff; implement aspiration precautions (upright position for eating, supervised feeds).
Refer to speech and language therapy early for swallow and communication assessment.
Positioning, mobility and prevention of complications:
Frequent repositioning, pressure area prevention, and early mobilisation with physiotherapy as tolerated.
Implement safe transfer techniques, encourage affected limb engagement to reduce learned non-use, and provide mobility aids.
Communication strategies:
Use simple sentences, allow extra time, use gestures, pictures or communication boards, involve family in communication facilitation.
Medication and physiological management:
Monitor and manage blood pressure according to acute stroke protocols (avoid precipitous drops if thrombolysis planned).
Administer antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy per protocol once indicated and safe (not given if thrombolysed until protocol allows).
Manage blood glucose within target range to reduce secondary injury.
Patient and family support, education and discharge planning:
Provide clear explanations about condition, expected assessments and rehabilitation plan; involve family early in care and planning.
Coordinate multidisciplinary team input—physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, and psychology.
Arrange secondary prevention education (risk factor modification, medications, follow-up).
When to escalate:
Any sudden neurological deterioration, loss of consciousness, severe uncontrolled hypertension, new severe headache or signs of increased intracranial pressure — escalate to medical/surgical team immediately.
Note:
Follow local stroke pathway and hospital protocols; treatment windows and interventions (e.g., thrombolysis, thrombectomy) depend on individual eligibility and timings. Frequent reassessment and timely multidisciplinary involvement are essential to optimise outcomes.