Stroke: Emergency Care and Rehabilitation

This is an interdisciplinary course intended for nurses, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. It presents information about types of stroke and risk factors as well as a review of brain anatomy with emphasis on deficits associated with lesions in different parts of the brain. Treatment regimens, prehospital, ED treatment, and pharmacologic management are described.

Rehabilitation following an acute stroke is discussed in detail, including current information about motor control theories, techniques for regaining the use of the upper and lower extremities, and a discussion of challenges faced by stroke patients and their families following a stroke.

The course is intended to challenge rehabilitation therapists in their understanding of acute management of stroke as well as challenging nurses, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice nurses in their understanding of the efficacy and issues associated with post-stroke rehabilitation.

When you finish this course, you will be able to:

*Discuss the incidence of stroke in the United States.
*Describe two features each of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
*Describe the four main structures of the brain.
*State the two main arterial systems that supply blood to the brain.
*Identify one aspect each of gender, age, and racial differences in the presentation of acute stroke.
*Discuss five elements addressed in the prevention of stroke.
*Describe the five elements of emergency department care of the acute stroke patient.
*Summarize three therapies for the acute treatment of ischemic stroke.
*Describe the three most common destinations for post-stroke rehabilitation.
*Define plasticity and maladaptive plasticity.
*Discuss the three sensory elements that contribute to balance.
*Define walking adaptability and identify three movement strategies important for balance.
*Discuss three key points related to bilateral upper limb training.
*Identify four screening tools used to assess the presence or absence of dysphagia.
*Describe four common cognitive impairments that can occur following a stroke.
*Identify three factors that may lead to the development of depression following a stroke.
*Explain why low levels of physical fitness affect recovery following a stroke.
*Describe three common mobility devices used following a stroke.
*Describe the three interventions that must be undertaken to prevent skin breakdown following a stroke.
*Summarize three issues associated with caregiving once a stroke patient is discharged to home.
*Explain the importance of sedentary time in the inpatient rehab setting.
*Summarize the four elements associated with treatment burden.
*Define and describe neuroregenerative medicine.