How should you care for a patient suspected of having a stroke?

When caring for a patient suspected of having a stroke, using the FAST acronym is crucial for quick and effective assessment. FAST stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services. This mnemonic helps in rapidly identifying the key signs of a stroke, allowing for early intervention, which is critical in determining a patient's outcome. The sooner a stroke is recognized and treated, the better the chances for recovery and minimizing brain damage.

Identifying these symptoms quickly gives emergency responders and healthcare providers essential information about the patient's condition and can guide decisions regarding transport to a facility capable of providing appropriate stroke care, such as administering thrombolytic therapy if indicated.

Other choices may have their own relevance in different scenarios, but the FAST acronym directly targets the immediate need to recognize stroke symptoms for prompt action. Using the ABC assessment is essential in a broader context of patient care but may not specifically address the urgency of stroke diagnosis. Administering oxygen would be appropriate for certain conditions but is not a primary intervention for stroke assessment. Performing CPR is critical in cases of cardiac arrest but irrelevant for stroke management unless the patient becomes unresponsive and not breathing.