What are two important questions to ask a stroke patient or bystander?

• A. Last known normal (onset) and witness with phone number
• B. Time of last meal and allergies
• C. Occupation and home address
• D. Medications currently taking and smoking status

Answer: (A)

Time is everything in acute stroke care. The two most important questions are: when did the symptoms first start or when was the patient last known well, and who was with them to witness the event (and how can we contact that person). Knowing the onset time directly determines eligibility for reperfusion therapies, since treatments like thrombolytics have narrow time windows. A reliable witness provides the onset details and a means to confirm or update timing with hospital staff, which is crucial for making timely, safe treatment decisions.

Other details like last meal, allergies, occupation, home address, current medications, or smoking status are useful for broader assessment and post-acute care, but they don’t drive the immediate decision about reperfusion therapy and time window in the same way.