You have been called to a long-term care facility for a 77-year-old female patient who was found unresponsive in her wheelchair by staff. The nurse reports that the patient complained of a headache earlier in the day and was given 600 mg of Motrin. Your assessment shows the patient to be unresponsive with a patent airway, slow and irregular respirations, and a weak radial pulse. Her lips are cyanotic, and your partner reports the following vital signs: pulse, 44; respirations, 6 breaths/min; and blood pressure, 228/116 mmHg. Which action should be your next priority?

A headache with altered mental status (AMS) can be a sign of infection, bleeding, or a tumor. Vomiting without diarrhea can indicate increased brain pressure. Dehydration can also cause AMS.  Some causes of AMS include: Brain bleed, Brain tumor, Hepatic encephalopathy, Obstructive hydrocephalus, Seizure, and Stroke.  A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.  There are two main types of... Show more

A headache with altered mental status (AMS) can be a sign of infection, bleeding, or a tumor. Vomiting without diarrhea can indicate increased brain pressure. Dehydration can also cause AMS. 

Some causes of AMS include: Brain bleed, Brain tumor, Hepatic encephalopathy, Obstructive hydrocephalus, Seizure, and Stroke. 

A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. 

There are two main types of stroke:
Ischemic: Caused by a lack of blood flow
Hemorrhagic: Caused by bleeding 

Some people may have a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA doesn't cause lasting symptoms. 

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