Update on Transient Ischemic Attack Nursing Care

Considered a medical emergency, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) resulting from a focal ischemia in the brain or retina signals a sudden neurological deficit with patient symptoms typically lasting only 1 to 2 hours.1,2 The 90-day risk of stroke after a TIA is reported as high as 17% with the highest risk occurring in the first week.3,4 Approximately 240 000 US adults each year experience a TIA.5 The true prevalence of TIAs seems under-reported because patients fail to report their symptoms to healthcare providers.6,7 Evidence supports when an individual is at risk for TIA or one is suspected, immediate action is required.Nurses play a pivotal role in all phases of patient care. Also, they frequently are on the front line regarding TIA and stroke education of patients/families, recognition of signs/symptoms, assessment and evaluation of modifiable risk factors, and long-term management of TIA.7–9 The purpose of this article is to provide an update of the most salient aspects of evidence-based TIA nursing care.Nurses especially with advance practice training have a unique role in the initial evaluation (eg, identifying symptoms, eliminating mimics, triaging TIA referrals or early access to initial evaluation, assessing risk of acute and long-term complications), diagnosis, management, and patient/family education.7,9 Evidence resulting from a 5-year prospective study reveals key clinical characteristics associated with an impending stroke which include first diagnosis of TIA, increased age, deficits lasting >10 minutes, history of gait disturbance, dysarthria, elevated blood pressure …