Taking Care of a Stroke Victim

2089 Words5 Pages

Introduction
The aim of this essay is to discuss Mary, a 75 year old retired teacher with a history of obesity and hypertension, who one month previously, suffered an Ischaemic stroke. In line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2011) confidentiality guidelines, the identity of the service user has been kept anonymous by using the pseudonym ‘Mary’. In relation to Mary, the author will discuss the risk and resilience factors associated with stroke, the vulnerability impact of the disease, and the appropriate level of care which makes a difference to recovery.
The World Health Organisation (2013) explains that an Ischaemic stroke occurs as a result of a blood vessel becoming blocked by a clot, reducing the supply of oxygen to the brain and, therefore, damaging tissue. The rationale for selecting Mary for this discussion is; the author wishes to expand her evidenced based knowledge of stroke since it is the principal cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality within the Scottish population (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), 2008) and, therefore, a national priority. In response to this priority, the Scottish Government (2009) produced their ‘Better Heart Disease and Stroke Care Action Plan’. Additionally, they have introduced a HEAT target to ensure 90% of stroke patients get transferred to a specialised stroke unit on the day of admission to hospital (Scottish Government, 2012).
Vulnerability, Risk and Resilience
Lloyd and Heller (2012) discuss how vulnerability relates to people, who for a period, may need help from health and social care services because they are unable to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Mary’s post stroke symptoms include right sided...

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...lnerable to further risks; however, a person’s resilience can affect how they cope with being put in a vulnerable position (Edward, 2013). Furthermore, the ability of the nurse to provide excellent person centred care, using suitable interpersonal skills while showing compassion, can have a major impact on recovery (Dewar, Pullin and Tocheris, 2011).
This module has enabled the author to understand the concept of vulnerability, risk and resilience in relation to stroke. Therefore, it will contribute to her professional development and lifelong learning (NES, 2012). Additionally, the author has gained evidence based knowledge of person-centred care, compassion and self-awareness; all of which can be used to inform future practice (Miller, 2008). Consequently, she will be able to provide the appropriate level of care that can make a difference to a person’s recovery.

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