Identification of Physical Problems of Patients with Acute Stroke

Abstract

Background: Stroke patients experience a variety of physical problems which affect their activities
of daily life. As there is need for identifying the physical problems of patients with acute stroke in the
initial stage, the present study was undertaken to identify the physical problems of patients with acute
stroke. Objectives: the objectives of the study were to identify the physical problems of patients with
acute stroke. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at neurology department of a tertiary
care hospital in Kerala. 60 patients with acute stroke was selected by consecutive sampling technique.
Physical problems of stroke patients were identified by standardised tools; National Institute of Health
Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel index. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods were
used to analyze the data. Results: The major physical problems identified were immobility (81.7%),
lower extremity weakness (75%), upper extremity weakness (71.6%), loss of bladder control (66.7%),
loss of bowel control (65%), feeding problem (63.3%) and communication problems like dysarthria
(55%) and aphasia (53.3%). Conclusion: The study stresses the importance of identification of various
existing and emerging physical problems encountered by acute stroke patients and the preparation of a
nursing care protocol, which can be utilized in future, for managing the major physical problems.