A patient has facial drooping, left side paralysis, and slurred speech. The vital signs are BP 160/100, P 100, R 20, and SpO2 96% on room air. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for this patient?
A.
Administer oxygen at 12 LPM
B.
Protect the left arm during transport
C.
Place the patient in a supine position
D.
Avoid asking the patient questions due to dysphasia
The patient ' s symptoms are consistent with a stroke (CVA). Proper prehospital care focuses on maintaining airway, breathing, circulation, and protecting the affected limbs. Positioning the patient with head elevated (not supine) reduces intracranial pressure and aspiration risk.
Protecting the paralyzed side (e.g., left arm) from injury during transport is critical. EMS should still communicate with the patient — even if speech is impaired — and perform a stroke assessment using tools like Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) or FAST.
[References:, NREMT Medical Emergencies: Neurological Conditions, AHA Stroke Guidelines – Prehospital Management, National EMS Education Standards – Stroke Assessment Protocols, , ]
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