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7.3: Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke Recognition

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    84402

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    A CVA occurs when there is a blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain. Most strokes originate from an occlusion and are painless. However, some are accompanied with a headache. Patients complaining of severe headaches should be screened for a CVA and the provider should maintain a high index of suspicion for hemorrhagic stroke. Symptom resolution within 24 hours indicates a possible transient ischemic attack (TIA) and is predictive of a CVA in the future. Complete the Portland Prehospital Stroke Screen (PPSS). If positive, proceed to C-STAT and transport as indicated.

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    Image source: Multnomah County EMS Protocols. Used with permission.
    CVA Recognition Skill Verification Table

    Stroke assessment

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    2

    3 (instructor)

    Result

     

     

     

    Initials

     

     

     

    The original copy of this book resides at openoregon.pressbooks.pub/emslabmanual. If you are reading this work at an alternate web address, it may contain content that has not been vetted by the original authors and physician reviewers.

     


    This page titled 7.3: Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke Recognition is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Chris Hamper, Carmen Curtz, Holly A. Edwins, and Jamie Kennel (OpenOregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.