Stroke: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is the diagnostic test of choice for a patient who presents with sudden left-sided hemiparesis?
A. EEG
B. MRI brain
C. CT with contrast
D. CT without contrast
E. CTA head and neck
Answer and topic summary
The answer is D. CT without contrast
An ischemic stroke is an acute disorder caused by some sort of impaired blood flow in the brain (e.g., hypo-perfusion or occlusion). Risk factors include age, family history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, OCP or hormone usage, and drug abuse. Clinical features include sudden onset of neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, dysarthria, aphasia), headache or emesis, etc. The diagnostic test of choice is a non-contrast CT head. Management may include tPA or thrombectomy.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Neurology ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Emergency Medicine EOR topic lists
