A 68-year-old arrives in the emergency department 35 minutes after suddenly developing facial asymmetry and difficulty speaking. The client is awake, and point-of-care glucose is 108 mg/dL. For each group, select all responses that apply.
Multiple Response Grouping
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Sudden unilateral facial weakness and new speech difficulty are stroke warning signs. Activate the stroke pathway immediately and establish the last-known-well time; do not wait for persistence or give oral intake during the urgent evaluation.
Stroke cues: new facial droop and slurred speech. Actions: activate the stroke response and record the last-known-well time.
Why this is the best response
The onset is sudden and focal, and a normal bedside glucose does not explain the deficit. Time-to-evaluation directly affects eligibility for time-sensitive treatment.
Why the alternatives do not fit
Chronic knee pain is not an acute focal neurologic cue. Waiting or giving oral fluids delays a time-critical evaluation and may add aspiration risk before swallowing safety is established.
Sources
CDC — Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
CDC — Treatment and Intervention for Stroke
Last known well — The last time the client was known to be at the neurologic baseline.
Stroke activation — Immediate emergency evaluation because time-sensitive treatment depends on rapid recognition.