Stroke emergencies: TIA, ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke

Question 1

What is a TIA?

Answer 1

Temporary blockage of blood flow to brain that resolves within 24 hours of symptom onset, without evidence of infarction

Question 2

What is an ischaemic stroke?

Answer 2

Blockage of blood flow to brain with symptoms that last longer than 24 hours and doesn’t resolve spontaneously

Question 3

What is a haemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 3

Sudden bleeding into the tissues of the brain, into its ventricles, or into both

Question 4

What questions should you ask the patient before starting the ABCDE assessment?

Answer 4

Ask about BEFAST symptoms

Balance
Eyes
Face
Arms
Speech

Question 5

What should you check in part A of the ABCDE assessment?

Answer 5

Airway: Is it patent?

If patient is talking to you, assume that airway is patent

Question 6

If the patient’s airway isn’t patent, what can you do?

Answer 6

Head tilt and chin lift

Jaw thrust

Nasopharyngeal airway

Oropharyngeal airway