FAST Facts
NIH Know-How
Time is Brain
Stroke Myths
Treatment Path
100

What does each letter in FAST stand for?

Face, Arm, Speech, Time

100

What does NIHSS stand for?

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale

100

Which type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a clot?

Ischemic stroke

100

True or False: Stroke only happens in elderly patients.

False — stroke can happen at any age.

100

What is the very first diagnostic test ordered for suspected stroke?

Non-contrast CT scan of the head

200

Which FAST symptom is most commonly found first by someone who stands by?

Facial droop

200

Which item of the NIH scale assesses speech and language?

Item 9 (Best Language) and Item 10 (Dysarthria)

200

What medicine can dissolve a clot in an ischemic stroke if given quickly?

tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)

200

True or False: If the symptoms go away, it’s safe to ignore them.

False — TIAs are a warning sign of stroke.

200

What IV medication is considered first-line for eligible ischemic stroke patients?

Alteplase (tPA)

300

True or False: if symptoms resolve in minutes, it’s not a stroke?

False - consider TIA - call 911 right away! 

300

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)

300

Within how many hours is IV alteplase (tPA) typically effective?

Up to 4.5 hours from symptom onset

300

Can women experience different stroke symptoms than men?

Yes - symptoms like fatigue, confusion, or pain may appear more often in women.

300

Which vital sign is most important to control during acute stroke management?

Blood pressure

400

What is the first thing a nurse should do if stroke is suspected?

Call a stoke alert / activate emergency response immediately. 

400

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.

400

What imaging test must be done before giving tPA?

CT scan (to rule out hemorrhage)

400

Name one lifestyle factor that increases stroke risk.

Examples: smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, inactivity.

400

If a patient is not a candidate for tPA, what other treatment option may be available for large vessel occlusion?

Endovascular thrombectomy

500

Why is “T” in FAST so critical?

Because time is brain - determines brain survival - every minute counts. 

500

Why is consistency important when multiple nurses use the NIH scale?

Because accurate scoring ensures proper diagnosis, treatment decisions, and outcome tracking.

500

Why is “door-to-needle” time so closely tracked in hospitals?

Because reducing delays directly improves outcomes and decreases disability.

500

True or False: You can tell if it’s a stroke without medical imaging.

False - only imaging can confirm ischemic vs. hemorrhagic stroke.

500

Name two members of the stroke team besides nurses who are critical in acute management.

Neurologist, radiologist, emergency physician, pharmacist, etc.

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