Stroke Assessment for Nurses

Patients suspected of having an acute stroke should undergo an assessment that includes measuring their heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, oxygen saturation, and glucose level and checking for seizure activity.

The two main types of scans used to assess the brain after a suspected stroke are CT and MRI scans.

What is the assessment after a stroke?

The NIHSS is a tool used to assess neurological status after a stroke. It includes 11 items, such as level of consciousness, facial palsy, and neglect of visual, sensory, motor, language, or speech deficits. The items are answered using a 3 or 4-point ordinal scale.