Management of acute stroke. Specific nursing care and treatments in the stroke unit.

OBJECTIVE:This study provides a series of updated, evidence-based recommendations for the management of acute stroke. We aim to lay a foundation for the development of individual centres' internal protocols, serving as a reference for nursing care. METHODS:We review the available evidence on acute stroke care. The most recent national and international guidelines were consulted. Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation are based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification. RESULTS:The study describes prehospital acute stroke care, the operation of the code stroke protocol, care provided by the stroke team upon the patient's arrival at hospital, reperfusion treatments and their limitations, admission to the stroke unit, nursing care in the stroke unit, and discharge from hospital. CONCLUSIONS:These guidelines provide general, evidence-based recommendations to guide professionals who care for patients with acute stroke. However, limited data are available on some aspects, showing the need for continued research on acute stroke management.