Stroke, Increased ICP & Traumatic Brain Injury

Stroke is classified as ischemic (a clot blocking blood flow — roughly the majority of strokes, treated with clot-dissolving medication within a strict time window if eligible, or clot retrieval) or hemorrhagic (bleeding into or around the brain — clot-dissolving medication is contraindicated here, since it would worsen the bleeding). Recognizing stroke quickly using a "FAST"-style approach (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call for help) and getting an accurate time of symptom onset are the two most critical, time-sensitive nursing actions, since eligibility for many stroke treatments is time-limited from when symptoms started, not from when the patient arrived at the hospital.