What findings are evaluated by the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale?

What findings are evaluated by the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale?

• A. Headache, facial numbness, seizure
• B. Facial droop, arm drift, abnormal speech
• C. GCS score, pupil size, blood pressure
• D. Respiratory rate, capillary refill, temperature

Answer: (B)

The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is a quick tool to screen for potential stroke by focusing on three observable signs that reflect motor and language function. It checks facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech. Facial droop shows possible facial weakness from brain involvement, arm drift tests for unilateral motor deficit, and abnormal speech captures difficulty with language centers. If any of these signs are present, stroke is suspected and rapid transport to a stroke center is indicated. The other items listed in the choices aren’t part of this scale. Headache, numbness, or seizure aren’t the triad used in CPSS. General neurological checks like the GCS, pupil size, and blood pressure, or vital signs such as respiratory rate, capillary refill, and temperature, are important in assessment but not the specific findings evaluated by the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale.

The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is a quick tool to screen for potential stroke by focusing on three observable signs that reflect motor and language function. It checks facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech. Facial droop shows possible facial weakness from brain involvement, arm drift tests for unilateral motor deficit, and abnormal speech captures difficulty with language centers. If any of these signs are present, stroke is suspected and rapid transport to a stroke center is indicated.

The other items listed in the choices aren’t part of this scale. Headache, numbness, or seizure aren’t the triad used in CPSS. General neurological checks like the GCS, pupil size, and blood pressure, or vital signs such as respiratory rate, capillary refill, and temperature, are important in assessment but not the specific findings evaluated by the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale.