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 older woman named Norma Lauderback who was at home with her husband Floyd. While washing dishes, Norma suddenly dropped a plate, prompting Floyd to rush over. Norma expressed numbness in her face, and Floyd noticed her losing balance, leading him to help her into a chair. Subsequently, Floyd called 911. Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctor conducted an evaluation, noting Norma’s symptoms of dizziness, face numbness, and unilateral weakness. These symptoms, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are indicative of a stroke (2022).

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Norma exhibited three of the five main symptoms of stroke outlined by the CDC, reinforcing the likelihood of a stroke diagnosis. These symptoms can result in memory loss due to compromised brain function, oxygen deficiency, blood flow restriction, and nerve damage commonly associated with strokes.

FAST Acronym

The FAST acronym, as suggested by the CDC, aids in identifying stroke symptoms promptly: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services (2022). Norma’s presentation aligns with these indicators.

Sources Supporting Diagnosis

An article in The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing highlights stroke symptoms in women, including those Norma experienced (Colsch & Lindseth, 2018). Another study published in Medicine (Baltimore) discusses cerebral microbleeds inducing stroke-like symptoms, further corroborating Norma’s diagnosis (Choi et al., 2018).

Research Methods

Both studies employed various research methods. The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing utilized online portals to gather literature on stroke symptoms, while Medicine (Baltimore) examined a patient with similar symptoms to Norma’s, focusing on treatment efficacy.

PSYC FPX 3500 Assessment 3 Brain Injury Case Studies

Treatment Options

Intravenous Thrombolysis with r-tPA is a viable treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke, significantly improving functional outcomes post-stroke (Marko et al., 2022).

Summary and Conclusion

Norma’s symptoms strongly suggest a stroke diagnosis. While her medical history regarding heart issues is unspecified, her presentation aligns with typical stroke symptoms. Treatment options like frequencies of r-tPA offer promising avenues for stroke management and prevention of recurrence.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 4). Stroke signs and symptoms. 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

Marko, M., Miksova, D., Gesundheit Ö., Ebner, J., Lang, M., Serles, W., Sommer, P., Sykora, M., Lang, W., Knoflach, M., Kiechl, S., (2022, August 24). Temporal trends of functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Stroke. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.038400

PSYC FPX 3500 Assessment 3 Brain Injury Case Studies