PSYC FPX 3500 Assessment 3 Brain Injury Case Studies

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC FPX 3500 Learning and Cognition

Prof. Name:

Date

Case Study

The case study under examination is Case 1, involving an elderly woman named Norma Lauderback, who is at home with her husband, Floyd. While washing dishes, Norma suddenly drops a plate, prompting Floyd to rush over. Norma reports numbness in her face, and Floyd notices that she is losing her balance and is about to fall. He quickly seats her in a chair. As she sits, Floyd asks if she feels dizzy, to which she responds affirmatively. This leads Floyd to call 911. At the hospital, the doctor asks a series of questions regarding Norma’s symptoms and conducts a brief evaluation. Floyd reports that she experienced dizziness, facial numbness, and could only smile on one side. Dr. Cartwright asks Norma to lift her arms and observes that her right side is weaker than her left.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these symptoms are indicative of a stroke. The CDC identifies five main symptoms that may signal a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body; sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Norma exhibited three of these five symptoms, strongly suggesting a stroke diagnosis. These symptoms can also lead to memory loss due to impaired brain function, oxygen deprivation, reduced blood flow, and nerve damage, which are all possible consequences of a stroke.

The CDC also offers a method for identifying a stroke using the FAST acronym: F for Face—ask the person to smile, and if one side of the face droops, it’s a sign; A for Arms—ask the person to raise both arms, and if one arm drifts downward, it’s another sign; S for Speech—ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, and if the speech is slurred or unusual, it’s a negative sign; T for Time—if any of these signs are present, call 911 immediately (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Cardiovascular issues are typically the leading cause of strokes. Although there is no information about Norma having heart problems, her age alone makes her susceptible to a stroke.

Sources to Support the Diagnosis

An article in The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing discusses unique stroke symptoms in women. The article first outlines common stroke symptoms, such as “sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body; sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause” (Colsch & Lindseth, 2018). These common symptoms match those that Norma experienced. The article also describes more unique and less common symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, other body pain, and impaired coordination, which Norma also exhibited (Colsch & Lindseth, 2018).

Another article, published in Medicine (Baltimore), supports the stroke diagnosis for Norma. Researchers discussed how cerebral microbleeds in a specific area can induce stroke-like symptoms. A woman with these cerebral microbleeds experienced chronic headaches on and off for several years, along with frequent headaches accompanied by nausea or vomiting on 15 days per month (Choi et al., 2018). Medical professionals confirmed that these symptoms are closely related to a stroke, further supporting Norma’s diagnosis.

Research Methods

The research method in The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing involved using multiple online portals, such as PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, to find substantial literature on unique stroke symptoms. The research method in Medicine (Baltimore) involved evaluating the previously discussed patient. After adjusting the patient’s hypertension medication, her blood pressure was well-maintained, and her paresthesia and headache improved the following day. The patient was discharged after five days, with her left-sided paresthesia improving two weeks after discharge. At her 12-month visit, her blood pressure remained well-controlled, and there were no abnormal neurological symptoms (Choi et al., 2018). Both studies are relevant to the case study because they reflect the symptoms that Norma exhibited, supporting the conclusion that her diagnosis is a stroke.

Treatment Options

An article on ahajournals.org discusses a treatment option for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke: intravenous thrombolysis with r-tPA. This treatment was found to be effective based on data from 2006 to 2019, analyzed for r-tPA–treated patients in the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry. The results showed that 51.7% of all patients achieved a favorable functional outcome three months post-stroke (Marko et al., 2022).

Summary and Conclusion

Norma’s symptoms clearly indicate that she had a stroke. From numbness and weakness on one side of her body to discoordination, dizziness, and overall confusion, Norma displayed multiple signs of a stroke. According to the sources cited, these symptoms are consistent with a stroke diagnosis, even though there is no information about Norma’s heart health. Dr. Cartwright recognized that Norma had just experienced a stroke, and the weakness on one side of her body confirmed his suspicion. Various researchers have explored different treatments for strokes and their symptoms. One promising treatment is the use of r-tPA to help combat strokes and prevent recurrence.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 4). Stroke signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm

Choi, P. K., Chung, J. Y., Lee, S. J., & Kang, H. G. (2018). Recurrent cerebral microbleeds with acute stroke symptoms: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore), 97(39), e12480. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012480

Colsch, R., & Lindseth, G. (2018). Unique stroke symptoms in women: A review. The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 50(6), 336-342. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000402