Cerebrovascular disease refers to any functional or structural abnormality of the brain caused by a pathological condition of the cerebral vessels or of the entire cerebrovascular system.
This pathology either causes hemorrhage from a tear in the vessel wall or impairs the cerebral circulation by a partial or complete occlusion of the vessel lumen with transient or permanent effects.
Thrombosis, embolism, and hemorrhage are the primary causes for CVA, with thrombosis being the main cause of both CVAs and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The most common vessels involved are the carotid arteries and those of the vertebrobasilar system at the base of the brain.
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident
Here is a Sample of Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA/Stroke)
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Nursing Diagnosis
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident | Nursing Diagnosis of Cerebrovascular Accident
- Tissue Perfusion, ineffective cerebral May be related to Interruption of blood flow: occlusive disorder, hemorrhage; cerebral vaso¬spasm, cerebral edema
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Nursing Intervention & Rationale
Nursing Interventions of Cerebrovascular Accident with Rationale
Cerebral Perfusion Promotion (NIC)
Nursing Interventions of Cerebrovascular Accident with Rationale: Independent
- Determine factors related to individual situation/cause for coma/decreased cerebral perfusion and potential for increased ICP. Rationale: Influences choice of interventions. Deterioration in neurological signs/symptoms or failure to improve after initial insult may reflect decreased intracranial adaptive capacity requiring patient be transferred to critical care area for monitoring of ICP, other therapies. If the stroke is evolving, patient can deteriorate quickly and require repeated assessment and progressive treatment. If the stroke is “completed,” the neurological deficit is nonprogressive, and treatment is geared toward rehabilitation and preventing recurrence.
- Monitor/document neurological status frequently and compare with baseline.
- Monitor vital signs, i.e., note:
- Hypertension/hypotension, compare BP readings in both arms; Rationale: Fluctuations in pressure may occur because of cerebral pressure/injury in vasomotor area of the brain. Hypertension or postural hypotension may have been a precipitating factor. Hypotension may occur because of shock (circulatory collapse). Increased ICP may occur because of tissue edema or clot formation. Subclavian artery blockage may be revealed by difference in pressure readings between arms.
- Heart rate and rhythm; auscultate for murmurs; Rationale: Changes in rate, especially bradycardia, can occur because of the brain damage. Dysrhythmias and murmurs may reflect cardiac disease, which may have precipitated CVA (e.g., stroke after MI or from valve dysfunction).
- Respirations, noting patterns and rhythm, e.g., periods of apnea after hyperventilation, Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Rationale: Irregularities can suggest location of cerebral insult/increasing ICP and need for further intervention, including possible respiratory support. (Refer to CP: Craniocerebral Trauma [Acute Rehabilitative Phase], ND: Breathing Pattern, risk for ineffective)
Cerebral Perfusion Promotion (NIC)
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident
Nursing Interventions of Cerebrovascular Accident with Rationale: Independent
- Evaluate pupils, noting size, shape, equality, light reactivity. Rationale: Pupil reactions are regulated by the oculomotor (III) cranial nerve and are useful in determining whether the brainstem is intact. Pupil size/equality is determined by balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic enervation. Response to light reflects combined function of the optic (II) and oculomotor (III) cranial nerves.
- Document changes in vision, e.g., reports of blurred vision, alterations in visual field/depth perception. Rationale: Specific visual alterations reflect area of brain involved, indicate safety concerns, and influence choice of interventions.
- Assess higher functions, including speech, if patient is alert. Rationale: Changes in cognition and speech content are an indicator of location/degree of cerebral involvement and may indicate deterioration/increased ICP.
- Position with head slightly elevated and in neutral position. Rationale: Reduces arterial pressure by promoting venous drainage and may improve cerebral circulation/perfusion.
- Maintain bedrest; provide quiet environment; restrict visitors/activities as indicated. Provide rest periods between care activities, limit duration of procedures. Rationale: Continual stimulation/activity can increase ICP. Absolute rest and quiet may be needed to prevent rebleeding in the case of hemorrhage.
- Prevent straining at stool, holding breath.
- Assess for nuchal rigidity, twitching, increased restlessness, irritability, onset of seizure activity. Rationale: Indicative of meningeal irritation, especially in hemorrhage disorders. Seizures may reflect increased ICP/cerebral injury.
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident
Nursing Interventions of Cerebrovascular Accident with Rationale: Collaborative
- Administer supplemental oxygen as indicated. Rationale: Reduces hypoxemia, which can cause cerebral vasodilation and increase pressure/edema formation.
- Administer medications as indicated:
- Alteplase (Activase), t-PA; Rationale: Thrombolytic agents are useful in dissolving clot when started within 3 hr of initial symptoms. Thirty percent are likely to recover with little or no disability. These agents are contraindicated in cranial hemorrhage.
- Anticoagulants, e.g., warfarin sodium (Coumadin), low-molecular-weight heparin (Lovenox); antiplatelet agents, e.g., aspirin (ASA), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid); Rationale: May be used to improve cerebral blood flow and prevent further clotting when embolus/thrombosis is the problem. Contraindicated in hypertensive patients because of increased risk of hemorrhage.
- Antifibrolytics, e.g., aminocaproic acid (Amicar);
- Antihypertensives;
- Peripheral vasodilators, e.g., cyclandelate (Cyclospasmol), papaverine (Pavabid), isoxsuprine (Vasodilan); Rationale: Used to improve collateral circulation or decrease vasospasm.
- Steroids, e.g., dexamethasone (Decadron); Rationale: Use is controversial in control of cerebral edema
- Neuroprotective agents, e.g., calcium channel blockers, excitatory amino acid inhibitors, gangliosides; Rationale: These agents are being researched as a means to protect the brain by interrupting the destructive cascade of biochemical events (e.g., influx of calcium into cells, release of excitatory neurotransmitters, buildup of lactic acid) to limit ischemic injury.
- Phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital; Rationale: to control seizures and/or for sedative action. Note: Phenobarbital enhances action of antiepileptics.
- Stool softeners.
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident
Nursing Interventions of Cerebrovascular Accident with Rationale: Collaborative| Continuation
- Prepare for surgery, as appropriate, e.g., endarterectomy, microvascular bypass, cerebral angioplasty.
- Monitor laboratory studies as indicated, e.g., prothrombin time (PT)/activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) time, Dilantin level. Rationale: Provides information about drug effectiveness/therapeutic level.
Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Overview; Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Nursing Priorities & Discharge Goals; Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Nursing Diagnosis; Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident : Nursing Intervention with Rationale. Nursing Care Plan for Cerebrovascular Accident .
