Which of the following symptoms is correctly matched with the BE FAST acronym used to identify signs of a stroke?

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

The BE FAST acronym is a public health tool for the rapid identification of stroke signs.
The 'F' in BE FAST correctly stands for 'Facial drooping', a common and easily observable sign of stroke where one side of the face may droop or feel numb.
A simple test is to ask the person to smile; if the smile is uneven or one side of the face does not move, it is a positive sign for facial drooping.
This sign is caused by the stroke affecting the part of the brain that controls facial muscles.

Option A: The 'B' in the BE FAST acronym stands for 'Balance', referring to a sudden loss of balance or coordination, not 'Breathing difficulty'.
Option B: The 'S' in BE FAST stands for 'Speech' difficulties, such as slurred speech or an inability to speak or be understood, not 'Sweating'.
Option C: The 'E' in BE FAST stands for 'Eyes', specifically referring to sudden changes in vision like blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight. It does not stand for 'Eye pain'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Recognition of stroke symptoms using the BE FAST acronym as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Rapid recognition of stroke using BE FAST is critical for nurses, as 'Time is Brain'. Prompt action can significantly improve patient outcomes by allowing for timely thrombolytic therapy or thrombectomy.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients, families, and the community about these signs to ensure they seek emergency help immediately.
In a clinical setting, a nurse's rapid assessment using BE FAST can trigger a 'Code Stroke' or stroke alert, mobilizing the specialized team required for immediate diagnosis and treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the BE FAST acronym used for stroke recognition.
Recall or deduce the meaning of each letter in the acronym: B (Balance), E (Eyes), F (Face), A (Arms), S (Speech), T (Time).
Evaluate each option by comparing the given symptom with the correct meaning of the corresponding letter.
Analyze Option A: 'B' is for Balance, not Breathing difficulty. This is incorrect.
Analyze Option B: 'S' is for Speech, not Sweating. This is incorrect.
Analyze Option C: 'E' is for Eyes (vision changes), not Eye pain. This is incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QWBihAayGeWnGajNTB4Upb

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 108-110

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1332-1334

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