When should a stroke alert be called during a stroke assessment?

The correct course of action is to call a stroke alert once the LAMS score has been completed. The LAMS (Los Angeles Motor Scale) is a validated tool used to assess the presence and severity of motor deficits in patients suspected of having a stroke. Completing the LAMS score provides critical information about the patient's condition and helps determine the appropriate level of response from the stroke team.

Calling the stroke alert at this point ensures that the appropriate resources and specialists are mobilized quickly based on the initial assessment findings. Timeliness is crucial in stroke management, as every minute counts in restoring blood flow to the brain and minimizing potential damage.

In this context, it is important to highlight that simply waiting for the patient to request assistance does not align with the proactive approach needed in emergency medical situations. Additionally, initiating a stroke alert before completing the LAMS score may lead to unnecessary activation of resources without the essential data to guide the response. Lastly, documentation of vital signs, while important, is not a prerequisite step and should occur concurrently with or following the completion of the LAMS assessment rather than as a precursor to the stroke alert.