Team Response Scenario: Katherine Archer Stroke Post-
Assessment
At minimum, what initial actions should be performed within 10 minutes of Mrs.
Archer's arrival at the emergency department?
1. Conduct the primary assessment.
2. Establish cardiac monitoring.
3. Obtain a full set of vital signs.
4. Order a brain imaging study (CT or MRI).
5. Draw blood for laboratory studies.
Which additional assessment should the team perform emergently if it will not
delay brain imaging?
12-lead ECG
What is the time frame for ordering brain imaging?
Within 10 minutes
What is the time frame for obtaining the brain imaging results?
Within 20 minutes
What is the time frame for interpreting the brain imaging scan?
Within 45 minutes
Dr. Chu, the stroke team neurologist, has interpreted Mrs. Archer's brain CT scan
and sees no evidence of hemorrhage. What intervention should the team
consider next?
Fibrinolytic therapy
What additional actions should Dr. Chu take before initiating fibrinolytic therapy
for Mrs. Archer?
1. Review Mrs. Archer's medical history for potential contraindications to fibrinolytic
therapy.
2. Repeat the focused neurologic examination.
3. Confirm time of symptom onset.
Within how many minutes of the patient's arrival at the emergency department
should fibrinolytic therapy be initiated?
45 to 60 minutes
Within how many hours of the onset of symptoms should fibrinolytic therapy be
initiated?
3 to 4.5 hours
Assessment
At minimum, what initial actions should be performed within 10 minutes of Mrs.
Archer's arrival at the emergency department?
1. Conduct the primary assessment.
2. Establish cardiac monitoring.
3. Obtain a full set of vital signs.
4. Order a brain imaging study (CT or MRI).
5. Draw blood for laboratory studies.
Which additional assessment should the team perform emergently if it will not
delay brain imaging?
12-lead ECG
What is the time frame for ordering brain imaging?
Within 10 minutes
What is the time frame for obtaining the brain imaging results?
Within 20 minutes
What is the time frame for interpreting the brain imaging scan?
Within 45 minutes
Dr. Chu, the stroke team neurologist, has interpreted Mrs. Archer's brain CT scan
and sees no evidence of hemorrhage. What intervention should the team
consider next?
Fibrinolytic therapy
What additional actions should Dr. Chu take before initiating fibrinolytic therapy
for Mrs. Archer?
1. Review Mrs. Archer's medical history for potential contraindications to fibrinolytic
therapy.
2. Repeat the focused neurologic examination.
3. Confirm time of symptom onset.
Within how many minutes of the patient's arrival at the emergency department
should fibrinolytic therapy be initiated?
45 to 60 minutes
Within how many hours of the onset of symptoms should fibrinolytic therapy be
initiated?
3 to 4.5 hours
