The patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) after being found on the floor in the garage by his wife. His right cheek balloons with each expiration and his right leg drags when he walks. While being assisted to the magnetic resonance imaging suite, the patient’s facial drooping resolves and he no longer walks with a limp. Which action does the nurse take first?

Question

The patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) after being found on the floor in the garage by his wife. His right cheek balloons with each expiration and his right leg drags when he walks. While being assisted to the magnetic resonance imaging suite, the patient&rsquo;s facial drooping resolves and he no longer walks with a limp. Which action does the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Continue with the scan to detect a thrombus. The resolution of stroke symptoms indicate the patient experienced a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. As this can be a precursor to stroke and may be the result of tiny emboli breaking off a thrombus and causing brief occlusion of arteries in the brain, the patient should proceed with the scan to detect any issues. Discharge orders are not appropriate until after the scan, and any other tests deemed necessary, are performed. It is not necessary to page the rapid response team at this time. The patient should receive an MRI. An EEG may be necessary, but the MRI must be performed first.

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