Which acronym aids in the quick assessment of a stroke?

The acronym FAST is specifically designed to aid in the rapid assessment of stroke symptoms. Each letter in FAST stands for a key component that helps identify the signs of a stroke:

• F stands for Face drooping: Check if one side of the face droops or if the person can smile evenly.

• A denotes Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Look for weakness or inability to raise one arm.

• S means Speech difficulties: Note if the person's speech is slurred or if they have difficulty speaking or understanding.

• T represents Time to call emergency services: If any of these signs are observed, it is crucial to get medical help immediately.

Recognizing these symptoms quickly can significantly impact treatment outcomes for a stroke, ideally allowing for timely intervention, such as administration of thrombolytics or other interventions to restore blood flow in the brain.

Other acronyms like CABG, ABCDE, and CPR relate to different concepts in emergency medicine, such as coronary artery bypass grafting, assessing for serious conditions beyond strokes, or basic life support techniques, respectively, and do not specifically target the rapid identification of stroke symptoms. Therefore, FAST is the most appropriate choice for quick assessment in the context of