Basic Anatomy & Physiology
This body organ is damaged when a stroke occurs.
What is the brain?
This type of stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel.
What is an ischemic stroke?
This FAST sign looks for uneven facial movement.
What is facial droop?
This is the MOST important history question in stroke assessment.
What is time last known well?
Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)
162mg PO
These blood vessels supply oxygenated blood to the brain.
What are arteries?
This type of stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
What does the A in FAST stand for?
What is arm weakness or drift?
This is the EMR’s primary treatment for stroke.
What is early recognition and facilitate fast transport (Helicopter, etc). TIME IS BRAIN
Acetaminophen
500-1000mg PO; May repeat after 4 hours; MAX dose 4,000mg/day (ALL SOURCES)
This occurs when brain tissue does not receive enough oxygen.
What is cerebral hypoxia?
This common medical condition is the leading risk factor for stroke.
What is high blood pressure?
What is the most important question to ask when assessing speech
What is, "is this normal for you"
This should never be given orally to a stroke patient.
What is food or drink?
Ibuprofen
300-400mg PO; may repeat every 4-6 hours; MAX daily dose 1,200mg/day
This body system is primarily affected by a stroke.
What is the nervous system?
This temporary stroke-like event resolves without permanent damage.
What is a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
What does a positive VAN assessment tell you?
What is, there is a large vessel occlusion, most commonly in the middle cerebral artery.
A sudden "thunderclap" headache is indicative of what type of stroke?
What is a Hemorrhagic stroke?
Glucagon
3mg IN Q 15 minutes (MAX 6mg)
This pressure inside the skull can increase during some strokes.
What is intracranial pressure?
This lifestyle factor greatly increases stroke risk.
What is smoking?
What VITAL sign is pivotal to gather when assessing a potential stroke patient?
What is Blood Glucose.
What are some treatments that hospitals do to manage strokes?
Ischemic Stroke
tPA (Alteplase): Clot busting drug used if within <4.5 hours from onset
Mechanical Thrombectomy: Removing the clot via catheter
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Medications to manage BP, Swelling, seizures and pain
Surgical - Clipping or coiling aneurysms
Epinephrine (EPI)
Adult: 0.5mg IM every 5 minutes; may repeat up to 3 X
Pediatric: 0.01mg/kg IM (to a maximum of 0.5mg per dose) q5; repeat up to 3 X as needed