Stroke Management in the Acute Care Setting
Course Overview
This course provides healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge and skills for the prevention, recognition, and management of stroke. Learners will explore the pathophysiology of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, risk factors, and evidence-based strategies for rapid assessment and intervention. Special emphasis is placed on the nurse’s critical role in early recognition of stroke symptoms, activation of emergency response protocols, acute management including thrombolytic and endovascular therapies, and post-stroke rehabilitation and education. The course also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, patient and family education, and strategies to reduce long-term disability. Through case studies and application of current clinical guidelines, learners will strengthen their ability to deliver safe, timely, and holistic care to patients experiencing stroke.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Recognize the early signs and symptoms of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke using validated tools.
- Apply current guidelines to achieve therapeutic targets for thrombolysis and endovascular therapy.
- Describe and implement post-thrombectomy nursing care, including neuro checks, hemodynamic monitoring, and recognition of reperfusion injury.
- Utilize quality improvement tools to measure and improve performance on key stroke metrics (e.g., DTN, dysphagia screening compliance, discharge education).
- Perform and document standardized dysphagia screenings within recommended timeframes to reduce aspiration risk and improve patient outcomes.
- Integrate secondary prevention strategies at discharge, including patient and family education on blood pressure control, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, lipid management, diabetes care, and lifestyle modification.
- Collaborate with interprofessional teams (EMS, neurology, radiology, rehabilitation, nutrition) to ensure holistic care.
- Address health disparities and social determinants of health (SDOH) by identifying barriers to access, tailoring education to patient needs, and advocating for equitable stroke care across populations.
About the Author/Presenter
Abbie Schmitt, MSN-Ed, RN,is a nurse educator with nursing experience in internal medicine, inpatient rehab, cardiology, emergency medicine, humanitarian relief, and ADN nursing programs. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in 2007, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2012, and a Master’s degree in Nursing—Nursing Education (MSN-Ed) from Liberty University in 2019.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
