Question

A 63-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset left-sided weakness and facial droop that began 45 minutes ago. She has no history of anticoagulant use. CT brain shows no haemorrhage. Her NIH Stroke Scale score is 12. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Administer intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase after standard contraindication checklist

Answer

Commence dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel

Answer

Arrange urgent carotid Doppler ultrasound prior to any acute therapy

Answer

Delay treatment and repeat CT scan in 24 hours

Answer

Start therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin

Practice question

A 63-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset left-sided weakness and facial droop that began 45 minutes ago. She has no history of anticoagulant use. CT brain shows no haemorrhage. Her NIH Stroke Scale score is 12. What is the most appropriate next step?