mild dysphagia. Her husband states that when she awoke that morning at 0600, she stayed in bed complaining of a mild headache over the right temple, was fatigued, and felt slightly weak. He went and got coffee, thinking that it was unusual for her to have those complaints, he went to check on her and found that she was having trouble saying words and had a slight left-sided facial droop.When he helped her up from the bedside, he noticed weakness in her left hand and convinced her to come to the emergency department. Her past medical history includes paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia.
A recent cardiac stress test was normal, and her blood pressure has been well controlled. N.T. is currently taking flecainide (Tambocor), hormone replacement therapy, amlodipine (Norvasc), aspirin, simvastatin (Zocor), and lisinopril (Zestril). The physician suspects N.T. has experienced an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA).CVA refers to the damage of some cells, which occurs due to the loss of supply of oxygen to the brain. It is commonly known as a Stroke. It is usually caused due to thrombosis, where there is formation of blood clot due to the disposition of calcium and cholesterol in the artery of the brain.
1. What role diagnostic tests play in evaluating N.T for a suspected CVA?
2. Explain how knowing the type of CVA is an important factor in planning care