Stroke Exam and Outcome Measures
questions n answers
T/F: a caregiver will become an integral part of your interview when there are communication
barriers - correct answer ✔✔ true
T/F: there is not much difference with stroke exam from other neuro disorders - correct answer
✔✔ true
Tests and measure categories to include with stroke exam - correct answer ✔✔ mental status
ROM
Tone/reflexes
Cranial Nerve
Sensation
Coordination/balance
Posture
Functional Mobility
Acute phase exam is initiated within ___ hours, once pt is ______ - correct answer ✔✔ 72,
medically stable
T/F: an in-depth review of medical record with critical care staff is needed - correct answer ✔✔
true
what should you minimize in your exam? - correct answer ✔✔ position changes
,T/F: don't have them get in and out of bed more than once if you can avoid it - correct answer
✔✔ true
why minimize position changes - correct answer ✔✔ due to time
and it will fatigue your pt
Where to focus ROM and strength - correct answer ✔✔ Muscle groupings that typically have
the most hypertonic muscles
Where will most ROM and strength limitations be? - correct answer ✔✔ DF
finger/wrist extension
Shoulder protraction
After acute stroke, ______ spontaneously increases in 75-80% of pts but usually decreases over
the next few days - correct answer ✔✔ BP
Lowering BP after stroke may decrease ______, so prescribing BP lowering meds should be
______ during the first week of acute stroke - correct answer ✔✔ cerebral perfusion, avoided
Precautions during PT exam - correct answer ✔✔ Monitor BP
Pain management
Protect joints of hemiplegic side
Protect skin of hemiplegic side
What is the best way to lower BP following stroke? - correct answer ✔✔ wait for it to drop
naturally
Complications interfering with PT Exam - correct answer ✔✔ DVT
, Aspiration pneumonia
UTI
Extension of stroke during the first few days
Hemorrhagic conversion
Edema on hemiplegic side
Shoulder subluxation
DVT and aspiration pneumonia - correct answer ✔✔ Due to laying flat and not moving for 3
days
Possibly swallowing issues. Need to get speech and swallow involved
UTI - correct answer ✔✔ the longer the cath is placed, the more likely the pt will get a UTI
Extension of stroke - correct answer ✔✔ This is why we need to wait for them to be medically
stable.
Hemorrhagic stroke can extend or worsen in the first few days.
Hemorrhagic conversion - correct answer ✔✔ ischemic can become hemorrhagic as the blood
reperfuses into the initially ischemically damaged vessels.
Shoulder sublux is typically associated with a - correct answer ✔✔ MCA stroke
what has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality, reduce disability after stroke, and
reduce the number of pts requiring nursing home care? - correct answer ✔✔ Early mobility
list the special considerations for early mobility - correct answer ✔✔ Early mobility is good!
But if they had IV tPA, the risk of bleeding increases, so need to wait until it is titrated or
physician gives a go-ahead.
questions n answers
T/F: a caregiver will become an integral part of your interview when there are communication
barriers - correct answer ✔✔ true
T/F: there is not much difference with stroke exam from other neuro disorders - correct answer
✔✔ true
Tests and measure categories to include with stroke exam - correct answer ✔✔ mental status
ROM
Tone/reflexes
Cranial Nerve
Sensation
Coordination/balance
Posture
Functional Mobility
Acute phase exam is initiated within ___ hours, once pt is ______ - correct answer ✔✔ 72,
medically stable
T/F: an in-depth review of medical record with critical care staff is needed - correct answer ✔✔
true
what should you minimize in your exam? - correct answer ✔✔ position changes
,T/F: don't have them get in and out of bed more than once if you can avoid it - correct answer
✔✔ true
why minimize position changes - correct answer ✔✔ due to time
and it will fatigue your pt
Where to focus ROM and strength - correct answer ✔✔ Muscle groupings that typically have
the most hypertonic muscles
Where will most ROM and strength limitations be? - correct answer ✔✔ DF
finger/wrist extension
Shoulder protraction
After acute stroke, ______ spontaneously increases in 75-80% of pts but usually decreases over
the next few days - correct answer ✔✔ BP
Lowering BP after stroke may decrease ______, so prescribing BP lowering meds should be
______ during the first week of acute stroke - correct answer ✔✔ cerebral perfusion, avoided
Precautions during PT exam - correct answer ✔✔ Monitor BP
Pain management
Protect joints of hemiplegic side
Protect skin of hemiplegic side
What is the best way to lower BP following stroke? - correct answer ✔✔ wait for it to drop
naturally
Complications interfering with PT Exam - correct answer ✔✔ DVT
, Aspiration pneumonia
UTI
Extension of stroke during the first few days
Hemorrhagic conversion
Edema on hemiplegic side
Shoulder subluxation
DVT and aspiration pneumonia - correct answer ✔✔ Due to laying flat and not moving for 3
days
Possibly swallowing issues. Need to get speech and swallow involved
UTI - correct answer ✔✔ the longer the cath is placed, the more likely the pt will get a UTI
Extension of stroke - correct answer ✔✔ This is why we need to wait for them to be medically
stable.
Hemorrhagic stroke can extend or worsen in the first few days.
Hemorrhagic conversion - correct answer ✔✔ ischemic can become hemorrhagic as the blood
reperfuses into the initially ischemically damaged vessels.
Shoulder sublux is typically associated with a - correct answer ✔✔ MCA stroke
what has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality, reduce disability after stroke, and
reduce the number of pts requiring nursing home care? - correct answer ✔✔ Early mobility
list the special considerations for early mobility - correct answer ✔✔ Early mobility is good!
But if they had IV tPA, the risk of bleeding increases, so need to wait until it is titrated or
physician gives a go-ahead.
