Included in this guide are 12 nursing diagnosis for stroke (cerebrovascular accident) nursing care plans. Know about the nursing interventions for stroke, its assessment, goals, and related factors of each nursing diagnosis and care plan for stroke.
What is Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke?
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke, cerebral infarction, brain attack, is any functional or structural abnormality of the brain caused by pathological condition of the cerebral vessels of the entire cerebrovascular system. It is the sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain. 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. The sooner the circulation returns to normal after a stroke, the better the chances are for complete recovery. However, about half of those who survived a stroke remain disabled permanently and experience the recurrence within weeks, months, or years.
Thrombosis, embolism, and hemorrhage are the primary causes for stroke, 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.
A thrombotic CVA causes a slow evolution of symptoms, usually over several hours, and is “completed” when the condition stabilizes. An embolic CVA occurs when a clot is carried into cerebral circulation and causes a localized cerebral infarct. Hemorrhagic CVA is caused by other conditions such as a ruptured aneurysm, hypertension, arteriovenous (AV) malformations, or other bleeding disorders.
Nursing Care Plans
The major nursing care plan goals for patients with stroke depends on the phase of CVA the client is into. During the acute phase of CVA, efforts should focus on survival needs and prevention of further complications. Care revolves around efficient continuing neurologic assessment, support of respiration, continuous monitoring of vital signs, careful positioning to prevent aspiration and contractures, management of GI problems, and careful monitoring of electrolyte, and nutritional status. Nursing care should also include measures to prevent complications.
Listed below are 12 nursing diagnosis for stroke (cerebrovascular accident) nursing care plans:
- Ineffective Cerebral Tissue Perfusion
- Impaired Physical Mobility
- Impaired Verbal Communication
- Disturbed Sensory Perception
- Ineffective Coping
- Self-Care Deficit
- Risk for Impaired Swallowing
- Activity Intolerance
- Risk for Unilateral Neglect
- Deficient Knowledge
- Risk for Disuse Syndrome
- Risk for Injury
- Other Nursing Diagnosis
Ineffective Cerebral Tissue Perfusion
Nursing Diagnosis
- Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
Related Factors
Common related factors for this nursing diagnosis:
- Interruption of blood flow: occlusive disorder, hemorrhage; cerebral vasospasm, cerebral edema
Defining Characteristics
The common assessment cues that could serve as defining characteristics or part of your “as evidenced by” in your diagnostic statement.
- Altered level of consciousness; memory loss
- Changes in motor/sensory responses; restlessness
- Sensory, language, intellectual, and emotional deficits
- Changes in vital signs
Desired Outcomes
Common goals and expected outcomes:
- Patient will maintain usual/improved level of consciousness, cognition, and motor/sensory function.
- Patient will demonstrate stable vital signs and absence of signs of increased ICP.
- Patient will display no further deterioration/recurrence of deficits
Nursing Interventions and Rationales
Here are the nursing assessment and nursing interventions for stroke nursing care plan.
Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
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Nursing Assessment | |
Assess factors related to individual situation for decreased cerebral perfusion and potential for increased ICP. | Assessment will determine and influence the choice of interventions. Deterioration in neurological signs or failure to improve after initial insult may reflect decreased intracranial adaptive capacity requiring patient to be transferred to critical 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. |
Closely assess and monitor neurological status frequently and compare with baseline. | Assesses trends in level of consciousness (LOC) and potential for increased ICP and is useful in determining location, extent, and progression of damage. May also reveal presence of TIA, which may warn of impending thrombotic CVA. |
Monitor vital signs: | |
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Fluctuations in pressure may occur because of cerebral 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. |
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Changes in rate, especially bradycardia, can occur because of the brain damage. Dysrhythmias and murmurs may reflect cardiac disease, which may have precipitated CVA (stroke after MI or from valve dysfunction). |
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Irregularities can suggest location of cerebral insult or increasing ICP and need for further intervention, including possible respiratory support. |
Evaluate pupils, noting size, shape, equality, light reactivity. | Pupil reactions are regulated by the oculomotor (III) cranial nerve and are useful in determining whether the brain stem is intact. Pupil size and equality is determined by balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. Response to light reflects combined function of the optic (II) and oculomotor (III) cranial nerves. |
Document changes in vision: reports of blurred vision, alterations in visual field, depth perception. | 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. | Changes in cognition and speech content are an indicator of location and degree of cerebral involvement and may indicate deterioration or increased ICP. |
Assess for nuchal rigidity, twitching, increased restlessness, irritability, onset of seizure activity. | Indicative of meningeal irritation, especially in hemorrhage disorders. Seizures may reflect increased ICP or cerebral injury, requiring further evaluation and intervention. |
Therapeutic Interventions | |
Position with head slightly elevated and in neutral position. | Reduces arterial pressure by promoting venous drainage and may improve cerebral perfusion. |
Maintain bedrest, provide quiet and relaxing environment, restrict visitors and activities. Cluster nursing interventions and provide rest periods between care activities. Limit duration of procedures. | Continuous stimulation or activity can increase intracranial pressure (ICP). Absolute rest and quiet may be needed to prevent rebleeding in the case of hemorrhage. |
Prevent straining at stool, holding breath. | Valsalva maneuver increases ICP and potentiates risk of rebleeding. |
Administer supplemental oxygen as indicated. | Reduces hypoxemia. Hypoxemia can cause cerebral vasodilation and increase pressure or edema formation. |
Administer medications as indicated: | |
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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. Treatment is based on trying to limit the size of the infarct, and use requires close monitoring for signs of intracranial hemorrhage. Note: These agents are contraindicated in cranial hemorrhage as diagnosed by CT scan. |
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May be used to improve cerebral blood flow and prevent further clotting when embolism and/or thrombosis is the problem. |
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Contraindicated in hypertensive patients because of increased risk of hemorrhage. |
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Used with caution in hemorrhagic disorder to prevent lysis of formed clots and subsequent rebleeding. |
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Chronic hypertension requires cautious treatment because aggressive management increases the risk of extension of tissue damage. |
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Transient hypertension often occurs during acute stroke and resolves often without therapeutic intervention.Used to improve collateral circulation or decrease vasospasm. |
Steroids: dexamethasone (Decadron). | Use is controversial in control of cerebral edema. |
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These agents are being researched as a means to protect the brain by interrupting the destructive cascade of biochemical events (influx of calcium into cells, release of excitatory neurotransmitters, buildup of lactic acid) to limit ischemic injury. |
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May be used to control seizures and/or for sedative action. Note: Phenobarbital enhances action of antiepileptics. |
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Prevents straining during bowel movement and corresponding increase of ICP. |
Prepare for surgery, as appropriate: endarterectomy, microvascular bypass, cerebral angioplasty. | May be necessary to resolve situation, reduce neurological symptoms of recurrent stroke. |
Monitor laboratory studies as indicated: prothrombin time (PT) and/or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) time, Dilantin level. | Provides information about drug effectiveness and/or therapeutic level. |
References and Sources
The following are the references and recommended sources for stroke nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis including interesting resources to further your reading about the topic:
- Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Msn, R. N., Makic, M. B. F., Martinez-Kratz, M., & Zanotti, M. (2019). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook E-Book: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care. Mosby. [Link]
- Black, J. M., & Hawks, J. H. (2009). Medical-surgical nursing: Clinical management for positive outcomes (Vol. 1). A. M. Keene (Ed.). Saunders Elsevier. [Link]
- Carpenito-Moyet, L. J. (2006). Handbook of nursing diagnosis. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Link]
- Doenges, M. E., Moorhouse, M. F., & Murr, A. C. (2016). Nurse’s pocket guide: Diagnoses, prioritized interventions, and rationales. FA Davis. [Link]
- Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. L. (2016). Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes. Elsevier Health Sciences. [Link]
- Lewis, S. M., Dirksen, S. R., Heitkemper, M. M., Bucher, L., & Harding, M. (2017). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems.
- Urden, L. D., Stacy, K. M., & Lough, M. E. (2006). Thelan’s critical care nursing: diagnosis and management (pp. 918-966). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby.
See Also
You may also like the following posts and care plans:
- Nursing Care Plan: The Ultimate Guide and Database – the ultimate database of nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions! Get the complete list!
- Nursing Diagnosis: The Complete Guide and List – archive of different nursing diagnoses with their definition, related factors, goals and nursing interventions with rationale.
Neurological Care Plans
Nursing care plans for related to nervous system disorders:
- Alzheimer's Disease | 13 Care Plans
- Brain Tumor | 3 Care Plans
- Cerebral Palsy | 7 Care Plans
- Cerebrovascular Accident | 8+ Care Plans
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome | 6 Care Plans
- Meningitis | 7 Care Plans
- Multiple Sclerosis | 9 Care Plans
- Parkinson's Disease | 9 Care Plans
- Seizure Disorder | 4 Care Plans
- Spinal Cord Injury | 12 Care Plans
there is a lot of good information but I don’t know how to cite the website and the author in the APA format
I agree with the comment above! How can we cite this awesome website?!
Vera, M. (2013, August 2). Nursing care plans: 8 cerebrovascular accident (stroke) nursing care plans. Retrieved October 24, 2013, from Nurses labs: https://nurseslabs.com/8-cerebrovascular-accident-stroke-nursing-care-plans/#Impaired_Verbal_Communication
APA 6th Edition
Make sure to italicize: Nursing care plans: 8 cerebrovascular accident (stroke) nursing care plans.
Slight correction on what was posted:
Vera, M. (2013). 8+ Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Nursing Care Plans. Retrieved from https://nurseslabs.com/8-cerebrovascular-accident-stroke-nursing-care-plans/11/
And, as stated, make sure to italicize the title.
Very educational, learnt a lot how to provide care with a client who has had a CVA.
Great info! Very helpful.
very precise and informative. thank you.
Thank you :O had to be my last concept map ever for nursing school :)
Thanks so much for these topics,is highly refreshing.
Hi. Everything you have here is super helpful. But, I could figure out how to put this in in text citation. Can you help?
Hello Vikki. Sure. You can use a tool like bibme.org to make citations. Just enter the link and fill up the details. Here, I went ahead and made you the APA citation for this study guide:
Vera, M., RN. (2019, February 12). 8 Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Nursing Care Plans.
Retrieved from https://nurseslabs.com/8-cerebrovascular-accident-stroke-nursing-care-plans/
Comment: the information was precise and helpful. thank you
Very informative
I love this site and it has helped me so much through school, but I need to address an intervention here: One should NEVER massage any reddened areas. Please fix this
It’s very helpful .very informative.
Very helpful for nursing students like me.