Understanding Stroke

This 1-hour CE course provides nursing professionals with a foundational understanding of stroke, including its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic processes, and treatment strategies. Designed for nurses in acute, rehabilitative, and community care settings, the course supports early recognition and management to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve long-term outcomes for stroke patients.

The course begins with an overview of stroke classifications, including ischemic and hemorrhagic types, and their distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. Participants will learn to identify common and atypical signs and symptoms of stroke, emphasizing the importance of early detection and rapid response. The course reviews the use of standardized assessment tools such as the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and outlines current best practices for initial management, including thrombolytic therapy and mechanical thrombectomy where appropriate.

Rehabilitation principles, risk factor modification, and secondary prevention strategies are discussed to support post-stroke recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence. Special consideration is given to nursing roles in multidisciplinary stroke care teams, patient education, and family support. The course also highlights the psychosocial and functional impacts of stroke on patients and caregivers.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and understand their pathophysiology.
• Recognize early warning signs and symptoms of stroke in clinical settings.
• Describe appropriate diagnostic tests and initial emergency interventions.
• Utilize standardized tools for stroke assessment and documentation.
• Support rehabilitation and secondary prevention efforts through nursing care and education.
• Address the psychosocial needs of stroke survivors and their families.

Course Completion Requirements:

To complete this CE course and receive full credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Review all course materials.
• Complete the post-test with a passing score of 70% or higher.
• Submit the course evaluation survey.

Note: Some courses may include additional requirements, such as participation in discussion boards or completion of practice exercises.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: The course planners, authors, and presenters have no financial or commercial conflicts of interest related to this educational activity.
• Commercial Support: This course has not received any sponsorship or financial support from commercial entities.
• Non-Endorsement: Approval of this course as a continuing education activity does not imply endorsement of any products, services, or companies mentioned within the content.
• Off-Label Product Use: No information related to off-label use of FDA-approved products is included in this course.