Good Cognitive And Neurologic Function Research Paper Example

Atrial fibrillation occurs when many atrial foci depolarize within the atrium but this chaotic rhythm inhibits strong P waves, atrial contractions, atrial kick, and a regular ventricular response (Ignatavicius). Instead of a strong contraction to push the blood into the ventricle, the atria quivers and does not completely contract. When this occurs, blood remains in the atria and has the tendency to form clots. The clots can then enter the brain, causing an ischemic stroke (Ignatavicius).
When the paramedics arrived, they administered 2L of oxygen via nasal cannula to increase his oxygen saturation levels to decrease the work load on his body, they hung NS to keep his blood flowing, an ECG was performed to see how hard his heart is working, and the CT scan will allow the health care professionals to visualize the blood flow to his brain to confirm it is in fact an ischemic stroke.
Based on Mr. J’s diagnosis of having a stoke, there are many concerns for how his body will recover from the accident and what cognitive and physical abilities were lost with the impaired tissue perfusion to the brain. There are several nursing diagnoses for a stroke. Some of the most important are: impaired tissue perfusion related to obstruction of blood flow to the brain as evidenced by right-sided paresis and paralysis and slurring of speech; impaired verbal communication related to impaired tissue perfusion to the brain as evidenced by slurred speech; and impaired home maintenance related to decreased tissue perfusion to the brain as evidenced by paresis and paralysis of his left arm and decreased strength and endurance (Ackley).

References

Ackley, Betty J., Gail Ladwig. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to
Planning Care, 10th Edition. Mosby, 2014. VitalBook file.
Campellone, J. (2014, May 28). Stroke. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000726.htm
Hodgson, B., & Kizior, R. (2015). Saunders nursing drug handbook 2015. St. Louis, Missouri:
Elsevier.
Ignatavicius, D. (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered collaborative care (7th ed.).
St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Saunders.
McCance, K., Huether, S., Brashers, V., & Rote, N. (2014). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis
for disease in adults & children (7th ed., p. 115, 130). St. Louis: Mosby.