English for Nurses
Lesson 18 Stroke awareness
blockage
blood clot
brain attack
drooping
fatty deposits
ischemia
mini stroke
slurring
stroke
Activity 1: Match the terms on the left with their correct meanings on the right.
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a lack of oxygen supply to the tissues in the body |
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b hang downwards |
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c pronounce words unclearly |
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d a mass of blood cells |
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e something which stops something else from passing through |
What is an ischemic stroke?
Ischemic stroke is a type of stroke which is caused by a blockage in one of the blood vessels which supply blood to the
brain. Ischemic means ‘stopping the blood’. If fatty deposits gradually build up in the blood vessels the inside of the blood
vessel becomes narrower.
Sometimes a blood clot forms near the obstruction caused by the fatty deposits. Other times a clot may form in another
part of the body and travel to the narrow blood vessels which lead to the brain. They get stuck and cannot go any further.
The blood usually carries oxygen to the brain through the carotid artery. It then takes away carbon dioxide from the brain.
If an artery is blocked, the brain cells cannot make enough energy because it does not have enough oxygen. The brain cells
stop working properly and may even die if the artery remains blocked for more than a few minutes.
Activity 2:
1. Ischemic stroke is caused by ____________________ to the brain.
a blood flow
b blockage of blood
c fat
2. Fatty deposits build up in the _______________________.
a heart
b brain
c blood vessels
3. Blood clots cause _________________ in the blood vessels.
a blood flow
b blood pressure
c blockages
4. Oxygen is used by _______________ to make energy.
a brain cells
b brain stem
c carotid artery
Activity 3: Label the pictures below.
blood vessel cerebral artery tissues aorta blood clot carotid artery
The blood flow from the (1) ___________up to the brain through the (2) ______________as well as the vertebral artery. In the
brain, the blood flows through the (3)______________. ‘Cerebral’ means ‘brain’.
If a (4) ______________forms in a (5)________________, a blockage develops. If the blood vessel remains blocked, the (6)
_______________of the brain are deprived of oxygen and areas of the brain may die.
Activity 4: Watch the video on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0uYsh-qJWw.
Put the notes in order.
a. mouth drooping
b. recognise symptoms of stroke
c. time to call emergency number
d. F.A.S.T stands for face, arms, speech, timing
e. slurring his words
f. stroke is brain attack
g. arm weakness
h. father had mini stroke
What does F.A.S.T stand for?
Activity 5: Look at the pictures and add the letters to the correct descriptions.
______It is time to call the emergency number if stroke symptoms are noticed. It’s important that a person has emergency treatment as soon as possible after a stroke.
______Ask if the person can raise both arms. Notice particularly if the person can’t raise arm.
______Check if the person can speak clearly and understands what you are saying. Some people also slur their words.
_____After a stroke it may be difficult to smile and sometimes the mouth and eye droop on one side.
Activity 6: Watch the video again and complete the dialogue.
Nurse: Thank you for coming to talk about your father.
Patient’s daughter: We don’t know much about _____________ at all.
Patient’s son: Could you explain a bit about it?
Nurse: Sure. A stroke is a type of brain attack. There are two main types of strokes but the most common type is the ischemic stroke where the blood supply to the ___________ is blocked.
Patient’s daughter: Did our father have that type of stroke?
Nurse: No. Your father had a sort of _______________. It’s a warning.
Patient’s son: So he could still have a stroke?
Nurse: Yes, he could. This is why I want to explain to you both how to recognise the ____________________ of stroke. That way you can get your father to hospital quickly if he has a stroke.
Patient’s son: OK. What are the symptoms of stroke?
Nurse: You can use an acronym called F.A.S.T to remind you of the symptoms of stroke. F.A.S.T stands for Face, Arm, Speech, Time.
Patient’s daughter: Face, arm and what are the other things?
Nurse: It helps you remember the three main symptoms of stroke. F stands for facial _________________. A person who has had a stroke finds it difficult to smile and sometimes their mouth and eye droop on one side.
Patient’s son: Yes. I think I’ve noticed those signs before. What about the letter A? What does that stand for?
Nurse: The letter A stands for arm weakness. You need to ask your father if he can ___________both arms. Notice if he can’t raise one of his arms.
Patient’s daughter: I see. I guess it would be the same side as the facial weakness. And the letter S. What does it stand for?
Nurse: The letter S stands for _______________ problems. Check that your father can speak clearly and understands what you are saying? Also, notice if he is slurring his words.
Patient’s son: So, watch to see if his face changes. See if he can use both arms. Finally, check to see that he can speak properly. What about the last letter, T.
Nurse: This is the most important one. T stands for time to call the_______________ number. It’s important that your father gets emergency treatment as soon as possible if he is having a stroke.
Patient’s daughter: Yes. We understand. If we notice all those changes we need to get our father to hospital.
Nurse: That’s right.
Exercise 7: Make a poster explaining F.A.S.T . Add the emergency number of your hospital at the bottom of the poster.
