What does each letter in FAST stand for?
Face, Arm, Speech, Time
What does NIHSS stand for?
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale
Which type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a clot?
Ischemic stroke
True or False: Stroke only happens in elderly patients.
False — stroke can happen at any age.
What is the very first diagnostic test ordered for suspected stroke?
Non-contrast CT scan of the head
Which FAST symptom is most commonly found first by someone who stands by?
Facial droop
Which item of the NIH scale assesses speech and language?
Item 9 (Best Language) and Item 10 (Dysarthria)
What medicine can dissolve a clot in an ischemic stroke if given quickly?
tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)
True or False: If the symptoms go away, it’s safe to ignore them.
False — TIAs are a warning sign of stroke.
What IV medication is considered first-line for eligible ischemic stroke patients?
Alteplase (tPA)
True or False: if symptoms resolve in minutes, it’s not a stroke?
False - consider TIA - call 911 right away!
A patient holds their arm up but it drifts down before 10 seconds — what score should be given for that limb?
Score of 1 (drift)
Within how many hours is IV alteplase (tPA) typically effective?
Up to 4.5 hours from symptom onset
Can women experience different stroke symptoms than men?
Yes - symptoms like fatigue, confusion, or pain may appear more often in women.
Which vital sign is most important to control during acute stroke management?
Blood pressure
What is the first thing a nurse should do if stroke is suspected?
Call a stoke alert / activate emergency response immediately.
How do you evaluate for NIH item 1c - LOC Commands?
NIH item 1c is evaluated by asking the patient to open and close their eyes and grip/release hand.
What imaging test must be done before giving tPA?
CT scan (to rule out hemorrhage)
Name one lifestyle factor that increases stroke risk.
Examples: smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, inactivity.
If a patient is not a candidate for tPA, what other treatment option may be available for large vessel occlusion?
Endovascular thrombectomy
Why is “T” in FAST so critical?
Because time is brain - determines brain survival - every minute counts.
Why is consistency important when multiple nurses use the NIH scale?
Because accurate scoring ensures proper diagnosis, treatment decisions, and outcome tracking.
Why is “door-to-needle” time so closely tracked in hospitals?
Because reducing delays directly improves outcomes and decreases disability.
True or False: You can tell if it’s a stroke without medical imaging.
False - only imaging can confirm ischemic vs. hemorrhagic stroke.
Name two members of the stroke team besides nurses who are critical in acute management.
Neurologist, radiologist, emergency physician, pharmacist, etc.