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NCLEX · General

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

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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