Stroke Flashcard
Rationale
A. Rationale: The FAST mnemonic helps the first aid responder remember the signs for recognition of stroke. These include facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech. Seizure is not one of the signs used to recognize stroke.
Question
Which one of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of stroke?
a. Seizure
b. Facial drooping
c. Arm weakness
d. Slurred speech
Answer
a. Seizure
Rationale
A. Rationale: Knowing the time of symptom onset will help clinicians determine if thrombolytic therapy can be given to the patient immediately once confirmed that the patient has an ischemic stroke. It must be given within 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms.
Question
The most critical question that will help EMS or clinicians manage a patient suspected of a stroke is:
a. When did the symptoms start?
b. What medications is the patient taking?
c. Does the patient have hypertension?
d. In what part of the body did the symptoms start?
Answer
a. When did the symptoms start?
Rationale
D. Rationale: The treatment of stroke is time-sensitive. A CT scan reading helps the clinician decide whether to treat the patient surgically (for hemorrhagic stroke) or pharmacologically (for ischemic stroke). If the patient has a hemorrhagic stroke, you cannot give blood thinners (aspirin) because it will worsen the intracranial bleeding. Elevating the patient’s legs will likely increase intracranial pressure. Hard candy does not do anything for the patient because there is no reason to believe he is hypoglycemic. You must stay with the patient and monitor his well-being until help arrives.
Question
You are tending to a 60-year-old man with symptoms of a suspected stroke. You call 911, and dispatch informs you that help is on the way. Which of the following is a first aid intervention that you can perform while waiting for EMS to arrive?
a. Give 325 mg of aspirin.
b. Give hard candies.
c. Elevate the patient’s legs above the level of the heart.
d. None of the above; say with the patient and monitor.
Answer
d. None of the above; say with the patient and monitor.