NCLEX · Physiological Adaptation

A nurse suspects a client is having a stroke. Using the acronym FAST, what does it stand for?

Correct answer

Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services

  1. A Fast, Active, Strong, Tall
  2. B Fever, Aches, Sweating, Tiredness
  3. C Fatigue, Anxiety, Stress, Tension
  4. D Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services

Why this is the answer

FAST is the stroke recognition acronym: F — FACE drooping (ask the person to smile; one side droops); A — ARM weakness (ask them to raise both arms; one drifts down); S — SPEECH difficulty (slurred or strange speech); T — TIME to call emergency services immediately (note the time symptoms started). NCLEX physiological/neurological. Rapid recognition is critical because stroke treatment (like clot-busting tPA for ischemic stroke) is time-sensitive — 'time is brain.' Other signs: sudden numbness, confusion, vision changes, severe headache, trouble walking. Document the time of symptom onset (determines treatment eligibility). Knowing FAST for rapid stroke recognition is a commonly tested, time-critical NCLEX concept.
Source: NCLEX Physiological — Stroke Recognition (FAST)

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About this topic: Physiological Adaptation

Physiological adaptation questions cover acute and chronic illness management, hemodynamics, medical emergencies, unexpected responses to therapy, and the priority nursing actions in each. This is one of 15 RN: Physiological Integrity questions on physiological adaptation, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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