Unlike a variety of cardiac diseases, the incidence of stroke is sudden and extremely urgent, as sometimes, a minute late medical intervention may result in irreversible consequences. Generally, for the convenience of characteristic findings for a stroke, a FAST framework was developed, encompassing such processes as sudden disruption in speech, numbness of facial muscles, arms, and legs on one side of the body, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, and inability to focus (Falkner & Green, 2018). Once any of these signs are recognized, it is critical to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stroke, apart from being hard to anticipate, is an extremely dangerous disease in terms of neural and physical rehabilitation. After the stroke, patients undergo a long period of returning to normal life, and frequently they are forced to learn how to perform the activities of daily living (ADLs) from scratch. Patients feel like they become a burden for their caregivers, so they are extremely vulnerable. Considering the toll taken on both the patients and their closest surroundings, the nurses play a critical role in providing emotional and physical support for them.
Aside from educating, the nurses play a key role in helping patients reintegrate into the community after such a severe condition. According to Falkner and Green (2018), nurses are to provide patient support along with education and resources. For example, when people younger than 65 years of age are to return to work after a long period of health restoration, a nurse serves as a mediator between the employment assistant programs and the patient. Apart from recommending resources, nurses keep in touch with occupational and physical therapists in order to advise a patient on the possible employment and social security disability benefits.
Reference
Falkner, A., & Green, S. Z. (2018). Neurological, perceptual, and cognitive complexities. In Pathophysiology: Clinical applications for client health. Grand Canyon University.