STROKE SYMPTOMS

SYMPTOMS OF LEFT-HEMISPHERIC TROKE
Expressive and receptive aphasia (inability to speak and understand language respectively)
Agnosia (unable to recognize familiar objects)
Alexia (reading difficulty)
Agraphia (writing difficulty)
Right extremity hemiplegia (paralysis) or hemiparesis (weakness)
Slow, cautious behavior
Depression, anger, and quick to become frustrated
Visual changes, such as hemianopsia (loss of visual field in one or both eyes)
SYMPTOMS OF RIGHT-HEMISPHERIC TROKE
Altered perception of deficits (overestimation of abilities)
One-sided neglect syndrome (ignore left side of the body – cannot see, feel, or move
affected side, so client unaware of its existence). Can occur with left-hemispheric strokes,
but is more common with right-hemispheric strokes.
Loss of depth perception
Poor impulse control and judgment
Left hemiplegia or hemiparesis
Visual changes, such as hemianopsia CLIENT TEACHING Instruct the client to dress the affected side first. Teach the client how to care for the affected side. Use the unaffected hand to pull the affected extremity to midline and out of danger from the wheel of the wheelchair or from hitting or smashing it against a doorway. Teach the client to look over the affected side periodically.