Final answer:
FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time, and it is used as a mnemonic device to help people remember what to look for when assessing the neurological system during a stroke or TIA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mnemonic FAST stands for:
- F - Face: Checking if the person has problems moving facial muscles and making regular facial expressions.
- A - Arms: Asking the person to raise their arms above their head and checking if they can lift one arm but not the other.
- S - Speech: Observing if the person's speech has changed, such as slurring words or having trouble saying things.
- T - Time: If any of the above signs are present, it is time to call for help.
This acronym is used to help people remember what to look for when someone is experiencing sudden losses of neurological function, such as during a stroke or TIA.