Question

You are assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale on a 60 y/o woman. When she holds both of her arms out in front of her and closes her eyes, both of her arms immediately fall to her side. What should you do?

1) Administer a thrombolytic agent
2) Activate the stroke team
3) Reassure the patient
4) Perform a cranial nerve examination

Answer 1

If both arms of a patient fall to her side when assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, you should activate the stroke team immediately. This potentially indicates a neurological deficit from a stroke, and rapid treatment is critical.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, and both arms of the patient immediately fall to her side, the correct action to take is to activate the stroke team. This observation may indicate a neurological deficit consistent with a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and immediate medical evaluation is necessary. The mnemonic FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a tool used to recognize signs of a stroke quickly. Facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and the importance of time are critical factors to consider. After recognizing these signs, it's key to seek medical attention promptly, as rapid treatment can greatly affect recovery. The activation of the stroke team prioritizes timely assessment and intervention, which may include imaging such as a CT scan or, when appropriate, administration of thrombolytic agents to dissolve clots.