Essay --

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of Perfusion. Perfusion refers to the flow of blood through arteries and capillaries delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing cellular waste products. Perfusion is a normal physiologic process that requires the heart to generate adequate cardiac output to transport blood through blood vessels for distribution in the tissues throughout the body. The essential function of the cardiovascular system and pulmonary systems is to provide a continuous supply of oxygenated blood to every cell in the body (Pearson, 2010). Background Information The clinical experience used to illustrate the concept of Perfusion as it relates to a 74-year old female client who lives with her son and daughter-in-law. The patient was admitted to the hospital on February 5, 2014, with a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation (On Coumadin) and presented with an acute left middle cerebral artery territory stroke. The client was treated on the telemetry unit for observation with active atrial fibrillation. The patient’s experience relates to the concept of Perfusion since blood clots may interfere with adequate blood flow. Ischemic stroke is a sudden loss of function resulting from disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain (Brunner and Suddarth, 2010). The presence of partial blockage of the blood vessel can be due to vasoconstriction, platelet adherence, or fat accumulation and therefore decreases elasticity of vessel wall leading to alteration of blood perfusion with the initiation of the clotting sequence. This may later lead to the development of thrombus which can be loosened and dislodged in some areas of the brain such as mid cerebral carotid artery th... ...tracranial pressure from brain edema. Interventions include administering osmotic diuretics, maintaining partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and positioning to avoid hypoxia. Other treatment measures include elevating the head of the bed to promote venous drainage and to lower ICP. Oxygen should be provided as needed, and the patient should be placed on seizure precautions. The patient should be positioned with the head of the bead at 30 degrees to avoid aspiration. Safety measures must be in place. The patient should remain NPO until a swallow evaluation is performed. Nursing management also includes monitoring body temperature with a goal of maintaining a normal temperature and normal fluid balance, along with stabilizing blood sugars. The nursing process in caring for clients who have suffered a CVA and treated with anticoagulants is as follows: