Ryanair Initial Practice Exam

In a stroke situation, what should you assess as part of the treatment?

1. Their blood pressure

2. Their level of consciousness

3. Their pulse rate

4. Their body temperature

The correct answer is: Their level of consciousness

Assessing the level of consciousness is crucial in a stroke situation because it provides essential information about the severity of the stroke and the patient's neurological function. This assessment is often performed using the AVPU scale (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive) or the Glasgow Coma Scale, which helps determine how well the patient is responding. Changes in consciousness levels can indicate the extent of brain involvement and help guide immediate medical interventions. While evaluating blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature can provide valuable information about the patient's overall condition, these factors are secondary in the immediate assessment and management of a stroke. The priority is to gauge how the stroke has affected the individual's consciousness, as this will offer insights into the possible need for urgent interventions like thrombolysis and dictate the urgency in which the patient should be managed in a hospital setting. Thus, monitoring the level of consciousness is vital for effective and timely treatment decisions.