What does FAST indicate in stroke assessment?

• A. Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency
• B. Fainting, Arm numbness, Slurred speech, Time to rest
• C. Face numbness, Arm pain, Speech delay, Test blood sugar
• D. Foot drop, Arm tremor, Speech clarity, Time to call doctor

Answer: (A)

FAST is a quick mnemonic used to spot potential stroke and prompt immediate action. F ace drooping signals facial weakness on one side; A rm weakness points to trouble moving an arm on one side; S peech difficulty indicates slurred or hard-to-understand speech; T ime to call emergency emphasizes dialing for help right away. Acting fast is crucial because treatment to restore blood flow works best when started early, and getting EMS involved quickly ensures swift assessment, imaging, and appropriate care. The other options mix symptoms or actions that aren’t typical stroke cues or urgency, so they don’t fit the standard emergency response the mnemonic conveys.