A nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a right-sided CVA. Which of the following would the nurse expect to see? 

Explanation

• Hemiplegia is paralysis on one side of the body. Depending the location of the CVA (left or right hemisphere of the brain), the effects will be seen on the opposite side of the body (e.g. right side brain damage=left side body deficits).

• Patients with a right-sided CVA are impulsive and lack judgment. They are often unaware of their deficits, which puts them at a high safety risk.

• Impairments in speech and language are seen with a left-sided CVA. Damage to Broca's area causes expressive aphasia. Damage to Wernicke's area is associated with receptive aphasia.

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