Which action BEST supports determining onset time in suspected stroke?

• A. Family History Of Stroke
• B. Prior Hospitalizations
• C. Medication Compliance
• D. When The Patient Last Appeared Normal

Answer: (D)

Determining onset time is essential because many stroke treatments have strict time limits, and knowing exactly when symptoms began guides those decisions. The best action is to establish the last time the patient was seen as normal or symptom-free. This last-known-well time provides the reference point to calculate how long the brain has been affected and whether the patient still fits within the treatment window for options like thrombolysis.

If the patient can’t answer, you gather this information from witnesses, family, or EMS and check available records, since that last-known-well time is what drives the next steps. Other factors like family history of stroke, prior hospitalizations, or medication compliance don’t tell you when the current event started.