Which screening tool is used to assess stroke in the Cincinnati protocol?

Which screening tool is used to assess stroke in the Cincinnati protocol?

• A. FAST
• B. ABCD
• C. Cincinnati Stroke Scale
• D. NIHSS

Answer: (C)

The Cincinnati protocol uses a quick three-item screening tool—the Cincinnati Stroke Scale—to identify potential stroke in the field. It checks facial droop, arm drift, and speech abnormalities. If any item is abnormal, it suggests a possible stroke and triggers urgent transport to a stroke center. This approach is favored in prehospital care because it’s fast and easy to perform with minimal training. Other tools exist for different purposes: FAST is another common field screen for stroke, but it’s a separate protocol; the ABCD score estimates risk after a TIA or stroke rather than acute screening; and the NIHSS is a detailed hospital-based assessment, not a prehospital screen.

The Cincinnati protocol uses a quick three-item screening tool—the Cincinnati Stroke Scale—to identify potential stroke in the field. It checks facial droop, arm drift, and speech abnormalities. If any item is abnormal, it suggests a possible stroke and triggers urgent transport to a stroke center. This approach is favored in prehospital care because it’s fast and easy to perform with minimal training. Other tools exist for different purposes: FAST is another common field screen for stroke, but it’s a separate protocol; the ABCD score estimates risk after a TIA or stroke rather than acute screening; and the NIHSS is a detailed hospital-based assessment, not a prehospital screen.