Stroke Warning Signs
This letter in BE FAST reminds you to assess sudden problems with balance.
What is B – Balance?
Weakness affecting one side of the body is called this.
What is hemiparesis?
This rapid bedside test is performed because an abnormal result can mimic stroke symptoms.
What is a blood glucose test?
This type of stroke occurs when a cerebral artery becomes blocked.
What is an ischemic stroke?
These three priorities are assessed first in an acutely deteriorating patient.
What are airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)?
Facial drooping, especially on one side, is represented by this letter in BE FAST.
What is F – Face?
Difficulty producing or understanding language is called this.
What is aphasia?
This imaging study is commonly performed rapidly to identify or exclude intracranial bleeding.
What is a noncontrast CT scan of the head?
This type of stroke results from rupture of a blood vessel with bleeding in or around the brain.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
A stroke patient should remain this until swallowing safety has been assessed.
What is NPO?
Sudden weakness or numbness of one arm is represented by this letter.
What is A – Arm?
Slurred or poorly articulated speech is called this.
What is dysarthria?
This standardized assessment measures the severity of neurologic deficits caused by stroke.
What is the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
Eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke may receive this type of medication to dissolve a blood clot.
What is an IV thrombolytic?
This complication can occur when a patient with impaired swallowing takes food, fluids, or medications by mouth.
What is aspiration?
Slurred speech or difficulty speaking is represented by this letter.
What is S – Speech?
Sudden loss of coordination and an unsteady gait may indicate this neurologic emergency.
What is a stroke?
This advanced imaging study can provide detailed images of brain tissue and detect cerebral ischemia.
What is an MRI?
This procedure may physically remove a large clot from a cerebral artery in selected patients.
What is mechanical thrombectomy?
These neurologic structures should be checked for size, equality, and reaction to light during neurologic assessment.
What are the pupils?
This information must be determined immediately because it affects eligibility for time-sensitive stroke treatment.
What is last known well time?
A sudden severe headache, vomiting, and decreasing LOC should raise concern for this type of stroke.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
This imaging study evaluates cerebral blood vessels and can identify a large-vessel occlusion.
What is CT angiography (CTA)?
Aspirin and anticoagulants should not automatically be given before brain imaging because they could worsen this condition.
What is intracranial hemorrhage?
Decreasing LOC, worsening weakness, new pupillary changes, seizures, or abnormal respirations require this nursing action.
What is immediate reporting/activation of the emergency or stroke response?