EARLY RECOGNITION and treatment
of stroke can improve patient
outcomes significantly. It’s essential
that nurses in all settings know
how to recognize signs and symptoms
of stroke, and alert the stroke
team or activate 911 immediately.
Stroke is a neurovascular condition
affecting blood vessels in the
brain. The two basic types of stroke
are ischemic and hemorrhagic.
• In ischemic stroke, occlusion of
a cerebral artery causes damage
to the brain tissue dependent on
blood supply from the affected
vessel.
• In hemorrhagic stroke, a cerebral
artery leaks blood, which damages
adjacent brain tissue.
Basics of the brain’s blood supply
are relatively easy to remember.
The carotid arteries supply the anterior
portion of the brain, which
includes most of the cerebrum. The
vertebral arteries, housed in the cervical
vertebral column, merge to
form the basilar artery feeding the
posterior portion of the brain,
which houses the cerebellum and
brain stem. (See Arteries supplying
the cerebrum.)