The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time) has been used by the National Stroke Association, American Heart Association and others to educate the public on detecting symptoms of a stroke. FAST was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1998.
Examine the person to assess:
Vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and temperature. The neurological system — carry out a focused neurological examination. Look for clinical signs of stroke or TIA such as unilateral weakness, visual or speech disturbance, ataxia, and nystagmus.
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was designed as a research tool to measure stroke severity. The NIHSS has evolved beyond academic research and has become the gold standard for clinical stroke assessment and measurement.
A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells. The CT scan also can find other problems that can cause stroke symptoms.
Fugl-Meyer Assessment
It is widely used in stroke research and has been used as a gold standard to compare the reliability and validity of other outcome measures. Scoring ranges from 0 to a maximum of 66 for upper limb movement.
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is the most widely used deficit rating scale in modern neurology: over 500 000 healthcare professionals have been certified to administer it using a web-based platform.
Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses for a patient with stroke may include the following: Impaired physical mobility related to hemiparesis, loss of balance and coordination, spasticity, and brain injury. Acute pain related to hemiplegia and disuse. Deficient self-care related to stroke sequelae.
The first and most basic introduction of this scale, also in 1997, is the FAST scale. The primary objective is to identify the time of symptom onset, bypass the ER for a specialized acute care unit and begin treatments (Harbison, et al., 2002).
A brain CT scan can show if there is bleeding in the brain or damage to the brain cells from a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of your brain. An MRI may be used instead of—or in addition to—a CT scan to diagnose a stroke.
It can be caused by a narrowed blood vessel, bleeding, or a clot that blocks blood flow.
Most people will be given aspirin straight after having an ischaemic stroke. As well as being a painkiller, aspirin is an antiplatelet, which reduces the chances of another clot forming. Other antiplatelet medicines may be used later, such as clopidogrel and dipyridamole.
If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a “clot-busting” drug) to break up blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic. tPA improves the chances of recovering from a stroke.
An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first three hours.
The major risk factors for stroke include: High blood pressure. Diabetes. Heart and blood vessel diseases: Conditions that can cause blood clots or other blockages include coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, and carotid artery disease.
A Level 2 stroke alert is a patient LKN 8-24 hours prior. These patients proceed directly on the EMS stretcher and to CTA imaging, at which time the ED contacts Vascular Neurology to review the CTA remotely and determine if intervention is necessary.
What are the types of stroke? There are two types of stroke: Ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke.
Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.