Assessment - See scanned sheets below.

Treatment: 

If Conscious:

1. OXYGEN? Use only if patient is hypoxemic. Why? Oxygen produces cerebral vasoconstriction which increases the area of infarction.
2. Do not lay on back: as this pools blood to head
3. Do not give any drug with a potential for CNS depression (Demerol, Versed are examples).
4. If the patient remains conscious and the symptoms disappear in 2-10 minutes, then the patient probably has had a TIA. A TIA is a heart-attack of the brain and should be referred to ER for follow-up and evaluated immediately.
   • The patient should not be allowed to drive and released only with another adult.
5. EMS should be activated if symptoms persist longer than 5-10 minutes.

If Unconscious:

Activate EMS. Initiate BLS as needed. Because elevation of BP is very common (esp in hemorrhagic stroke), the patients head should be slightly elevated from the supine position.