BEFAST BASICS
What does "B" in BEFAST stand for?
What is Balance
What symptom does facial droop indicate?
What is a sign of possible stroke?
What does PSC stand for?
What is Primary Stroke Center?
What is the first nursing action for a stroke?
Call a stroke alert
What is the DNV door-to-CT time?
≤ 25 minutes.
What is the purpose of the BEFAST acronym?
recognize early signs of stroke
A patient has slurred speech and right-sided weakness. What should you do?
Activate a stroke alert
How often must stroke education be provided to nurses?
annually
What imaging is required immediately?
Non-contrast head CT.
Goal for door-to-needle TNK?
≤ 45 minutes.
Name all six components of BEFAST
Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, and Time
What vision change might be a sign of stroke in 'E' of BEFAST?
Double vision or loss of vision.
What is the required dysphagia protocol
A screen before oral intake
What drug treats eligible ischemic strokes?
TNK (tenecteplase).
Admission to stroke unit after TNK?
Within 3 hours post-treatment.
Which part of BEFAST is most commonly associated with posterior strokes?
Balance and Eyes
What is neglect, and how does it present in stroke patients?
Ignoring one side of the body.
What documentation is required for TNK
Door-to-needle time, NIHSS, consent, BP monitoring
Why monitor BP every 15 mins after TNK?
To check for hemorrhage/complications.
Timeframe for endovascular therapy?
Within 24 hours of LKW.
Why was BEFAST created instead of using just FAST?
To include posterior stroke signs FAST might miss.
What syndrome involves inability to speak but understanding speech?
What is Broca's aphasia?
Name a DNV stroke metric
Door-to-needle time ≤ 45 minutes.
How should HOB be positioned (non-TNK)?
Flat (0–15°) to improve perfusion.
Max time window for TNK?
4.5 hours from last known well.