Abstract: Objective To investigate the emotional symptoms of relocation stress on admission of patients with acute stroke. Methods Fifteen patients with acute stroke were interviewed by phenomenological method. Results Relocation stress existed in acute stroke patients.They presented disordered thoughts and behaviors and a sense of distrust before admission. When on admission,they experienced hidden danger pertinent to environmental changes, and the noise of medical equipment and role-behavior conflicts, and they sought family support and urgent need for recovery. Conclusion Relocation stress exists commonly in acute stroke patients when they are admitted to the hospital, and the symptoms are mostly negative experience. More family support and measures to deal with potential crisis are conducive to improving the self-coping skill and physical and mental health of acute stroke patients.

Key words: acute stroke, on admission, relocation stress, qualitative research