According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, aka the CDC, every 40 seconds someone is experiencing a stroke in the United States. Which is why it is so important to teach our patients the signs and symptoms so that they can recognize a stroke for what it is and seek medical treatment immediately. The pneumonic BEFAST is one of the most widely used and easiest ways to remember the signs of stroke. So let’s go over it not only for the NCLEX, but also for your own practice and patient education!
For more information on what a stroke exactly is, visit Patient Education: What is a Stroke? And for how to do a full assessment, visit How to do a Complete Nursing Neurological Assessment.
B for Balance
The B in BEFAST stands for balance. A person experiencing a stroke may suddenly lose their balance causing dizziness and loss of coordination.
E for Eyes
The E stands for eyes. Meaning the patient may suddenly have blurred or double vision. In extreme cases, the patient might even lose their vision all together.
F for Face
The F is for face, one of the most well-known signs of strokes. Facial drooping, numbness or tingling is a tell-tale sign. Facial drooping is best tested by having the patient smile or watching the patients’ mouth while they talk. Is it asymmetrical? This could be a sign of stroke.
A for Arms
The A in BEFAST stands for the arms. A patient experiencing a stroke will often not be able to feel or move one of their extremities as easily as they could just moments before. They might experience sudden weakness or numbness to the extremity, indicating a stroke. Often times nurses will test this by asking the patient to raise both of their arms up like a mummy. If the patient can’t lift one arm, then the first thing you should be thinking of is a stroke.
S for Speech
The S stands for speech and is typically seen around the same time as facial drooping or numbness. If the patient is unable to speak as clearly as usual, likely secondary to facial drooping, this indicates a potential sign of stroke. Ask the patient to repeat something you say, is the speech comprehensible or does it sound slurred?
T for Time
And lastly, T is for time. If ANY of these symptoms are seen in a patient, family member, friend, or acquaintance, do not waste any time. Call 911 and seek emergency treatment immediately. Even if the patient is experiencing only one of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to call. It is also helpful to note the onset of these symptoms to provide them to the medical team upon arrival at the hospital, so if you’re able, take note.
The difference of even just a minute of delayed treatment can be the difference between life and death for the patient. So know the symptoms and always educate your patients. Even if the patient came in for something totally unrelated, it’s always a good idea to educate so in the event that your patient has these symptoms or is around someone else who does, they know exactly what to do. And who knows, maybe your education will save a life!
Do you know the signs of a stroke? Comment below!
Be sure to visit the following posts for more info:
- How to Pass the NCLEX in 75 Questions
- How to do a Quick yet Effective Head-to-Toe Assessment
- Important Lab Values to Know for NCLEX
- How to Don and Doff PPE for Medical Professionals
- A Guide to the Cranial Nerves
- And the entire Nursing Fundamentals Series
And check out the rest of the Patient Education Series:
- A Guide to Treating and Managing Type 1 Diabetes
- A Guide to Treating and Managing Type 2 Diabetes
- Identifying Sepsis and Understanding its Care and Treatment
- What is Hypertension? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
- What is Heart Failure? Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatments
- What are Urinary Tract Infections? UTI Prevention and Treatments
- What is Asthma? Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatments
- What is COPD? Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatments
- What is Pneumonia? Symptoms, Labs, and Treatments
For more information on strokes and stroke statistics, visit the CDC website.