Question

What acronym can help diagnose a cause for a patient with altered conscious state? and what are they?

a) SAMPLE - Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading to present illness
b) ABCDE - Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
c) FAST - Face, Arm, Speech, Time
d) OPQRST - Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time

Answer 1

The acronym FAST can help diagnose a cause for a patient with an altered conscious state by checking for droopy face, arm weakness, slurred speech, and the need to call 911. It is commonly used to identify signs of stroke.

Step-by-step explanation:

The acronym FAST can help diagnose a cause for a patient with an altered conscious state.

F, A, S, and T stand for:

1. Face (check for droopy face or problems with facial expressions)
2. Arm (check for arm weakness or if one arm can be lifted but not the other)
3. Speech (check for slurred speech or trouble speaking)
4. Time (call 911 if any of these symptoms are present)

FAST is commonly used to identify signs of stroke, where timely medical treatment is crucial for recovery.