When cerebral blood vessels become occluded by thrombus or embolus, or when intracranial hemorrhage occurs, brain tissues become ischemic, resulting in cerebrovascular accident or stroke

Clinical findings: cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Signs and symptoms directly related to areas of brain involved and extent of ischemia
Sudden unilateral numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg
Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
May be sudden confusion, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia), or partial loss of vision

Alzheimer’s disease

Incurable, degenerative neurologic disorder; begins with decline in memory
Most common cause of dementia in Western countries
Cause unknown – believed to be genetic; history of tias can be linked to alzheimers

History of pain behind ear or face few hours or days before paralysis
Affected side: eye doesn’t close, forehead doesn’t wrinkle, unable to whistle or smile, increased lacrimation (tearing up frequently)

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Widespread demyelinization of nerves of peripheral nervous system (PNS)
80% to 90% recover with few or no residual deficits; however clients may die if respiratory depression develops rapidly