Brain attack. The stroke continuum.

Modern advances in stroke research, diagnosis, and management cast increasing hope for stroke patients. What was once a disorder with a pessimistic prognosis has become a treatable disease. Expert nursing is required to care for a stroke patient through the manifold stages of treatment and recovery. This article presents salient information on stroke epidemiology, classification, pathogenesis, and symptomatology. Investigative options, treatment modalities, stroke rehabilitation aspects, and future trends are discussed. Moreover, nursing practice guidelines for risk factor modification, acute phase interventions, rehabilitation interventions, and patient/caregiver education are presented.