What kind of test should you do on a stroke patient?

• A. RACE Stroke Scale
• B. Glasgow Coma Scale
• C. FAST Stroke Screen
• D. NIH Stroke Scale

Answer: (A)

In the field, you want a quick tool that not only flags that a stroke is happening but also gauges how severe it might be and whether a large vessel occlusion could be present. The RACE Stroke Scale does that by evaluating specific deficits you can observe quickly: facial movement, arm and leg motor function, gaze deviation, and language or neglect. A higher score suggests a more severe stroke and increases the likelihood of needing endovascular therapy, so it helps you decide which hospital to route to.

Other tests serve different purposes but aren’t as helpful for field triage. The Glasgow Coma Scale focuses on level of consciousness rather than stroke severity or vessel occlusion risk. The FAST Stroke Screen is great for rapid recognition of stroke signs, but it doesn’t quantify severity. The NIH Stroke Scale is detailed and hospital-based, requiring more time and training than is typical in the prehospital setting. Therefore, the RACE Stroke Scale is the best fit for prehospital stroke assessment and triage.