An older person has sudden onset of a severe headache, left-sided facial drooping, and left arm numbness. The person's daughter calls 911 and the person is transported to the emergency department. The first diagnostic test that will likely be performed is a(n):

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The first diagnostic test that will be done is a CAT scan to differentiate hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke. If it is an ischemic stroke, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be administered to dissolve the clot but must be done within 3 hours. Depending on the patient's presentation, all of the other diagnostic tests may also be done following the CAT scan.

An Older Person Has Sudden Onset of a Severe Headache