SYMPTOM EXPERIENCES, MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND STROKE SEVERITY OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Abstract

Acute ischemic stroke is the emergency illness required immediately management. This research study aimed to examine acute ischemic stroke symptom experiences, symptom management strategies, and stroke severity among 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke, who received stroke fast tract management. The data were collected by the questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result found:

1. The 93.3% of the subjects had sudden hemiparaplegia. The 50.0% of the subjects perceived severity of symptom at high level, and 53.3% perceived its impact on physical and psychological.
2. The 63.3% of subjects perceived suspected symptom of acute ischemic stroke, and seeking for treatment. However 100.0% of the subjects were delivered to the hospital, where having the stroke fast tract management within 4.5 hours. Then 100.0% of the subjects received management following stroke chain of survival.

3. The initial assessment, the NIHSS score of the 30.0% of the subjects was at a mild level, 60.0% was at a moderate level, and 10.0% was at a high level. At 24 hours after management, the NIHSS score of the 70.0% of the subjects was at a mild level, 30.0% was at a moderate level