Nursing Care of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient Who Receiving Anti-thrombolytic Drugs : Case Study

Abstract

This case study aimed to examine nursing care for a patient with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy. The patient was purposively selected due to the complexity of the illness, which required close monitoring and comprehensive care from nurses and the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Nursing care was provided through the integration of evidence-based patient care guidelines and the five-step nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The nursing outcomes revealed that:

Critical nursing care in the emergency department involved the following key problems: 1) acute cerebral ischemia resulting from occlusion of cerebral blood vessels; 2) hypokalemia related to inadequate dietary intake; 3) risk of abnormal bleeding associated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy; 4) risk of falls due to impaired self-care ability; and 5) anxiety in the patient and family related to disease severity and insufficient knowledge regarding disease progression and treatment. During the referral phase, nursing care focused on the management of acute cerebral ischemia, prevention of abnormal bleeding, and prevention of accidents. In the rehabilitation phase, emphasis was placed on continuous follow-up and ongoing nursing care.

Therefore, nursing care for patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving anti-thrombolytic Drugs should prioritize vigilant monitoring for abnormal bleeding, which is a common and serious complication that may pose significant risks to patient safety.