Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs)


Case 03

Clinical history and examination

Age: 64 years, Female.
Time of presentation: 19:00

History of event

  • Symptoms: husband witnessed stopped speaking, right face, arm and leg weak
  • Current time interval since last known well: 4 hrs 10 mins (250 mins)

Past medical history

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Proliferative retinopathy
  • Ischaemic stroke 3 yrs ago
  • End stage renal failure
  • 3 x weekly haemodialysis (last completed 48 hrs ago)

Relevant medications

  • Insulin: not taken today
  • Aspirin

Relevant social history

  • Living circumstance: at home with husband
  • Prior function and care needs: independent in everyday activities
  • Work/hobbies: retired shop assistant due to ill health, grandchildren, crosswords

Examination

  • Pulse: 82, BP 174/75
  • Neuro:
    • Handedness: right handed
    • NIHSS:  12
    • Deficits: mod aphasia, right UMN facial weakness, some effort against gravity in arm and leg but no hand movement

Investigations requested with non imaging results

  • BM 23mmol/l
  • Hb 80g/dl
  • Urea 22mmol/l
  • Creat 300umol/l