What is one of the first actions taken when a stroke is suspected?

Determining the time of onset of symptoms is crucial when a stroke is suspected because it directly impacts the treatment options available for the patient. The effectiveness of certain interventions, such as thrombolytic therapy (clot-busting drugs), is highly time-sensitive. These medications are most effective when administered within a specific window of time from the onset of symptoms, usually within a few hours. Knowing the exact time when the patient first exhibited symptoms helps healthcare providers make informed decisions about the urgency and type of treatment to administer.

While calling for additional resources, administering oxygen, and performing a physical exam are all important actions in the assessment and management of a stroke patient, they do not carry the same immediate implications for treatment as determining the time of symptom onset. The other actions may be necessary following the initial assessment of the situation, but pinpointing the onset allows for a more precise and effective response to the emergency.