Question

Scenario: you are conducting a secondary assessment to an adult patron who lost their balance on the pool deck. The patron is slurring speech and explain his arm feels numb. What sudden illness could he be experiencing?

Answer 1

The patron on the pool deck may be experiencing a stroke, indicated by slurred speech and numbness in the arm. It's crucial to use the FAST mnemonic and perform a rapid neurological assessment for prompt treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described by the patron, including slurred speech and numbness in the arm, are indicative of a possible stroke, a condition that results in a loss of oxygen to parts of the central nervous system (CNS).

When faced with these symptoms, particularly in a case where sudden neurological changes are present, it's important to consider the FAST mnemonic: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services.

A rapid assessment, which may include checking reflexes, muscle strength, sensory responses, and motor control, can further help to localize the CNS area affected and inform immediate treatment strategies such as aspirin therapy to reduce the risk of blood clot formation.