1 Stroke Emergencies Free Online FlashCards

What does B.E. F.A.S.T. remind you to check?

Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

What should a bystander do first when sudden stroke symptoms appear?

Call 911 immediately and note when the person was last known to be at their usual neurologic baseline. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.

Right face and arm weakness with difficulty producing words suggests which hemisphere?

The left hemisphere is likely affected. In most people, language functions are primarily located there, and the weakness is on the opposite side.

Can severe vertigo and difficulty walking indicate stroke without facial droop?

Yes. Vertigo, double vision, slurred speech, and difficulty walking can indicate a posterior-circulation stroke, even without facial droop.

What dangerous stroke type must be considered with a sudden, extremely severe headache?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage must be considered. Sudden severe headache with vomiting or reduced alertness needs immediate emergency assessment and brain imaging.

What are core priorities in the initial assessment of suspected stroke?

Stabilize airway, breathing, and circulation; check blood glucose; establish the last-known-well time; perform a focused neurologic assessment; and arrange urgent brain imaging.

Does a normal early noncontrast head CT rule out ischemic stroke?

No. An early noncontrast CT helps detect hemorrhage, but a normal result does not necessarily exclude early ischemic stroke.

Which urgent medication-based treatment should be assessed for eligible disabling ischemic stroke?

Assess eligibility for intravenous thrombolysis. In the standard 4.5-hour window, current AHA/ASA guidance endorses alteplase or tenecteplase for eligible patients with disabling deficits.

What treatment pathway may be considered when vascular imaging shows a large-vessel occlusion?

Determine whether vascular imaging shows a large-vessel occlusion that may be treated with endovascular thrombectomy. Selected patients may qualify beyond the standard time window.

Should aspirin be given for suspected stroke before imaging excludes hemorrhage?

No—not as an unsupervised first-aid action. The treating team determines whether and when antiplatelet therapy is appropriate after assessment and imaging.

What must happen before an acute stroke patient is offered food or drink?

Keep the patient NPO until a trained clinician completes a swallow screen and determines oral intake is safe.

How should resolved one-sided weakness lasting 15 minutes be treated?

Arrange immediate medical assessment. A transient ischemic attack can warn of a future stroke, even when symptoms have resolved.