What immediate action should be taken if a patient is suspected to have a stroke?

Activating the stroke team is essential because time is critical in the management of a stroke. When a patient is suspected of having a stroke, especially an acute ischemic stroke, the goal is to quickly assess and initiate appropriate treatment to minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. The stroke team typically consists of specialists trained to make rapid decisions regarding diagnostic imaging, potential thrombolytic therapy, and other interventions necessary for effective treatment.

Prompt activation of the stroke team facilitates immediate interventions, such as administering eligible medications like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which can significantly reduce long-term disabilities in stroke patients. When the stroke team is engaged early, it helps streamline the care pathway, ensures timely imaging studies are performed, and prepares the staff for potential advanced treatments.

Other options, like admitting the patient to a general ward, scheduling outpatient follow-up, or providing palliative care, do not address the immediate need for rapid evaluation and treatment that characterizes a stroke emergency. These actions would delay crucial interventions that can affect the patient's prognosis adversely.