It's a Brain Thing
This bedside screening tool checks for facial droop, arm drift, and speech changes to quickly identify a possible stroke.
What is the FAST exam or NIHSS
ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous leads on this diagnostic test confirms a STEMI.
What is an ECG?
The presence of infection plus systemic inflammatory response criteria was historically known as this.
What is SIRS?
This acronym is used to remember the order of priorities in a primary assessment: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure.
What is ABCDE?
In ischemic stroke, this time window is critical for administering IV tNK
What is 4.5 hours from symptom onset?
The phrase “time is muscle” refers to the need to open this blocked artery.
What is a coronary artery?
Hypotension that persists despite fluid resuscitation in sepsis defines this life-threatening condition.
What is septic shock?
This standardized pain scale uses a 0–10 rating to quantify a patient’s pain.
What is the Numeric Pain Rating Scale?
A sudden severe headache described as “the worst of my life” can indicate this type of stroke.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke (subarachnoid bleed)?
The preferred treatment for STEMI is this procedure, ideally performed within 90 minutes of first medical contact.
What is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)?
The “1-hour bundle” for sepsis care includes drawing blood cultures, measuring lactate, administering fluids, and giving these medications.
What are broad-spectrum antibiotics?
Reassessment should always be performed after this type of intervention to evaluate effectiveness.
What is after any treatment or procedure?
The first diagnostic imaging test ordered in suspected stroke to rule out hemorrhage.
What is a non-contrast CT scan?
Patients with STEMI often describe this classic symptom as chest pain or pressure that may radiate to the jaw or arm.
What is angina (myocardial ischemic pain)?
A serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L suggests this underlying problem in tissue.
What is poor perfusion (tissue hypoxia)?
This scale evaluates eye-opening, verbal response, and motor response to assess neurological status.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
This common post-stroke complication involves difficulty swallowing and increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia if not identified early.
What is dysphagia?
If PCI is not available, fibrinolytic therapy should be given within this timeframe from symptom onset.
What is 30 minutes?
This is the minimum amount of intravenous fluid (in mL/kg) recommended to be given within the first 3 hours of recognizing septic shock, according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
What is 30 mL/kg?
The reassessment frequency for unstable patients is at least every this many minutes.
What is every 5 minutes?