What is one of the first assessments for a patient with suspected stroke?

The initial assessment for a patient with a suspected stroke should focus on a neurological examination. This assessment is crucial because it allows the healthcare provider to evaluate the patient's level of consciousness, motor function, sensory response, and speech, which are all vital indicators of the nervous system's status. By performing a neurological examination early in the evaluation process, practitioners can determine the presence and severity of neurological deficits, which can guide immediate treatment decisions and the urgency of further interventions.

While measuring blood pressure, ordering a CT scan, and checking heart rate are important components of the overall assessment in a suspected stroke case, they are secondary to obtaining a thorough neurological examination. Blood pressure can provide insights into the hemodynamic status, and imaging studies like a CT scan are necessary for confirming the stroke type (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic), but neither can replace the immediate need to assess neurological function when a stroke is suspected. A heart rate check is similarly useful but does not give direct information about brain function and immediate management priorities in stroke scenarios. Hence, the neurological examination stands out as the first critical step in the assessment process.