Stroke

Stroke is a sudden neurological deficit caused by interrupted blood flow or bleeding in the brain. The first nursing task is not to decide whether the event is ischemic or hemorrhagic at the bedside; the first task is to recognize a possible stroke, protect the patient, and preserve access to time-sensitive treatment. Canada’s public recognition mnemonic is FAST: - Face: new facial drooping or asymmetry - Arms: sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side - Speech: slurring, incorrect words, inability to speak, or inability to understand - Time: call 911 immediately Visual loss, sudden imbalance, or an abrupt severe headache can also occur. They do not make the presentation less urgent simply because they do not fit every FAST letter. A suspected stroke requires EMS activation and transport to a designated stroke centre; self-transport loses time and removes the opportunity for prehospital notification. The experienced nurse asks for the last-known-well time, not merely “When did the patient notice symptoms?” Last-known-well is the last time the patient was definitely at their neurological baseline. If a patient awakens with aphasia and...