Assessment of a 63-year-old female reveals a patent airway, adequate breathing, and strong radial pulse. She has no difficulty speaking and no facial droop, but exhibits a slight left arm drift. The EMT should interpret these findings as:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of a slight left arm drift in a patient who otherwise has a patent airway, adequate breathing, and no difficulty speaking or facial droop is highly suggestive of a stroke. This is because arm drift is a common sign of a stroke, indicating potential weakness or lack of coordination on one side of the body, which is a hallmark symptom of stroke.

Assessment of a 63-Year-Old Female Reveals a Patent Airway, Adequate