Question

The initial management and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke depend significantly on the timing of stroke onset. Recognizing the warning signs is crucial, considering various diagnoses with stroke-like symptoms. After ensuring medical stability, including airway, breathing, and circulation, what is the next step in the assessment process?

a) Perform an immediate mechanical thrombectomy
b) Administer thrombolytic therapy with alteplase
c) Obtain a non-contrast CT head scan
d) Perform CT angioplasty to confirm intracranial artery occlusion

Answer 1

The next step in the assessment process after ensuring medical stability, including airway, breathing, and circulation, is to obtain a non-contrast CT head scan. This scan can help identify the type of stroke and determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy or other interventions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The next step in the assessment process after ensuring medical stability, including airway, breathing, and circulation, is to obtain a non-contrast CT head scan (c). This is important because a CT head scan can help identify the type of stroke and determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy or other interventions. It can also help rule out other conditions that may present with stroke-like symptoms.