Course

Acute stroke → discharge (Clinician)

Clinician-facing sequence that connects prehospital recognition, ED imaging, reperfusion concepts, key inpatient bundles (dysphagia, neuro checks, complications), and discharge education with teach-back

ClinicianClinicianIntermediate120 minClinical (pro)

Educational only

Educational only — follow local protocols, order sets, and specialist guidance for thresholds/dosing.

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Treat acute neurologic decline as an emergency: escalate immediately per unit protocol and activate stroke/neurocritical pathways.

What you'll learn

  • Use a structured framework for acute stroke workflow and handoffs
  • Explain the conceptual role of CT/CTA/perfusion and reperfusion pathways
  • Apply inpatient prevention bundles (swallow safety, falls, complications)
  • Deliver discharge education using teach-back and documentation-ready checklists

5 lessons in this course

  1. 1Persona: EMS/Paramedics — prehospital stroke protocol essentials (recognition + routing)EMS-focused learning module: stroke recognition, BE-FAST/FAST, last known well, glucose check, destination/routing concepts, and handoff essentials20 min
  2. 2Study module: stroke imaging basics (CT/CTA/CTP/MRI) — what each answersStudy module explaining what each imaging modality is used for in acute stroke pathways: noncontrast CT, CTA, perfusion imaging, MRI (DWI/FLAIR) at a conceptual level30 min
  3. 3Study module: NIHSS basics + interpretation for triage (concepts)Conceptual NIHSS study module: what it measures, how severity relates to outcomes/LVO probability, common pitfalls, and how to communicate scores in handoffs (not a certification course)25 min
  4. 4Study module: neurointerventional stroke basics (EVT workflow + complications) — conceptsStudy module for EVT: patient selection themes (LVO + time/imaging), key workflow milestones, peri-procedure nursing priorities, and complication monitoring (conceptual)30 min
  5. 5Clinician: stroke education counseling (teach-back + accessibility)Clinician counseling framework for stroke education: teach-back, health literacy, accessibility for aphasia/cognitive fatigue, and consistent prevention messaging with scripts15 min

Lesson sequence

  • 1. EMS/prehospital essentials (handoff, LKW, glucose)
  • 2. Imaging basics (CT/CTA/CTP/MRI — what each answers)
  • 3. NIHSS basics + monitoring change
  • 4. EVT workflow concepts + post-procedure monitoring themes
  • 5. Inpatient complications prevention bundles
  • 6. Nursing neuro assessment + escalation playbook
  • 7. Dysphagia screening + oral care bundle
  • 8. Discharge education checklist + teach-back

Capstone

  • Run a mock handoff using a template
  • Complete a discharge education checklist on a sample case

Practice check

Check your understanding

A few untimed questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback, then continue to the next lesson.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. A key time datum for acute stroke decision-making is…

Question 2

2. Different imaging tests answer different questions in acute stroke triage.

Question 3

3. Teach-back is used to…

References

  1. AHA/ASA logo
  2. AHA logo