When assessing a patient for possible stroke symptoms using the BE FAST acronym, what does the letter “F” represent, and why is it important?
Fatigue – a common sign of neurological decline.
Fever – checking for elevated temperature.
Feet – assessing balance and walking ability.
Face – observing facial drooping/facial asymmetry.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Fatigue is not part of BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and is nonspecific, not a primary stroke sign. Facial drooping is critical. Assuming fatigue risks missing urgent stroke symptoms, delaying thrombolytic therapy, essential for minimizing brain damage within the critical time window.
Choice B reason: Fever is not in BE FAST and is not a primary stroke indicator, though it may occur later. Facial asymmetry is a key sign. Assuming fever misdirects assessment, risking delayed stroke recognition, critical for initiating rapid interventions like tPA to restore cerebral perfusion and reduce disability.
Choice C reason: Feet (balance) aligns with “B” in BE FAST, not “F,” which represents facial drooping. Misidentifying this risks confusing stroke assessment, potentially delaying recognition of facial asymmetry, a hallmark sign, critical for prompt stroke intervention to minimize neurological damage and improve patient outcomes.
Choice D reason: In BE FAST, “F” stands for face, assessing facial drooping or asymmetry, a common stroke sign due to cranial nerve VII involvement. It’s critical for rapid identification, enabling timely interventions like thrombolytics within 4.5 hours, minimizing brain damage and improving recovery chances in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This open-ended question prompts a detailed description of seizure-related feelings, encouraging subjective narrative responses. It requires the patient to elaborate on sensory or emotional experiences, which is not conducive to a yes/no or specific answer, making it unsuitable as a closed-ended question.
Choice B reason: Asking about symptoms before a urinary tract infection is open-ended, inviting a broad range of responses about various symptoms. It seeks detailed patient input, not a concise or specific answer, which contrasts with the structure of closed-ended questions that limit response scope.
Choice C reason: Asking when the first stroke occurred is closed-ended, expecting a specific, concise answer, such as a date or time frame. It limits the response to factual data, fitting the definition of a closed-ended question used in medical assessments to gather precise historical information.
Choice D reason: This question about past work is open-ended, prompting a detailed recount of occupational history. It encourages expansive answers, not a single, definitive response, making it inappropriate as a closed-ended question, which seeks focused, limited information in clinical settings.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Measuring pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 assumes a regular rhythm, which is inaccurate for an irregular pulse. Irregular rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, require longer measurement to capture variability in heartbeats, ensuring an accurate rate. This method risks over- or underestimating the true pulse rate.
Choice B reason: Counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is insufficient for an irregular pulse, as it may miss variations in heart rate, common in arrhythmias. Accurate assessment of irregular rhythms, like premature ventricular contractions, demands a full minute to account for fluctuations, making this method less reliable.
Choice C reason: Measuring the pulse for 60 seconds is the standard for irregular rhythms, as it captures the full range of heart rate variability. Conditions like atrial fibrillation cause inconsistent beats, and a full minute ensures accuracy in counting, aligning with clinical guidelines for assessing cardiovascular status in such cases.
Choice D reason: Counting for 45 seconds and multiplying by 2 is not a standard practice for irregular pulses. It fails to account for the full variability in heart rate, potentially skewing results in conditions like arrhythmias. A 60-second count is necessary for precision in irregular rhythm assessments.
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