Cerebrovascular Accident In Nursing

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Cerebrovascular Accident By Mike Smith RADT153 Radiography Patient Care Cypress College Just what is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) one might say? A cerebrovascular accident otherwise known as a stroke occurs when the blood supply leading to the brain is interrupted or reduced; causing the tissue in the surrounding area to become oxygen deprived, which can lead to brain damage. This can be caused either by a type of blockage, known as ischemic stroke or by a rupture in a blood vessel, a hemorrhagic stroke. There is also a condition called a transient ischemic attack, where the individual for a brief period of time shows symptoms that are similar to a stroke. About 85 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes (Stroke, 2014).…show more content…
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel located in the brain starts to either leak or rupture. This is usually caused by high blood pressure and weakened walls of the vessel caused by an aneurysm. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke, intracerebral and subarachnoid. An intracerebral hemorrhage is when an artery in the interior of the brain bursts and the blood moves into the surrounding area causing damage. In a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a blood vessel also bursts, but instead of being on the interior, the vessel is located near the surface of the brain. This increases the intracranial pressure in the skull and can lead to headaches, a decrease in consciousness, and…show more content…
A carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to see the carotid arteries in your neck. With this you can see the blood flow going up to the brain and find any areas that are reducing blood flow. An echocardiogram also uses sound waves, but instead of imaging blood vessels, this images the heart. This is used to look for blood clots and to see if there is any narrowing of the carotid artery. An electrocardiogram is a device the shows the pattern of electrical activity that is in your heart. It is used to detect irregularities in your heart rhythm that can cause the formation of blood

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