Patient Assessment & Symptom Recognition

01FAST stroke assessment

FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness/drift, Speech difficulty, and Time to call for emergency help. Any one positive finding is treated as a possible stroke requiring immediate action, and the time symptoms started matters for treatment eligibility.

02Recognizing sepsis early

In a patient with known or suspected infection, watch for fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, new confusion, decreased urine output, and clammy or mottled skin. New confusion and rising respiratory rate are often early, easy-to-miss clues.

03Hypoglycemia signs

Low blood glucose develops rapidly and presents with shakiness, sweating (diaphoresis), tachycardia, anxiety, hunger, and confusion. Left untreated it can progress to seizure or loss of consciousness.

04Hyperglycemia and DKA signs

High blood glucose builds up more gradually and presents with polyuria, polydipsia, dry mouth, nausea, weakness, and — in DKA — fruity-smelling breath from ketones.

05Onset speed as a clue

Hypoglycemia tends to hit fast (minutes), while hyperglycemia builds over a longer period (hours to days). Onset speed is a useful clue when the two presentations otherwise overlap (e.g., confusion, weakness).

06Escalating a change in condition

New neuro deficits, signs of sepsis, or severe hypo/hyperglycemia are not 'wait and see' findings — they call for immediate assessment, escalation, and often emergency response activation.