Which symptom is commonly used in screening strokes?

• A. Severe headache
• B. Chest pain
• C. Facial droop
• D. Abdominal pain

Answer: (C)

Stroke screening relies on detecting sudden, focal neurological deficits. Facial droop is the best example because a stroke often causes weakness on one side of the face, making the face appear uneven or the smile droop. This is quick and easy to observe, which is why it’s emphasized in rapid screening tools like FAST (Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time).

Other options aren’t as helpful for screening because they’re not specific to stroke. A severe headache can occur with stroke but isn’t a reliable stand-alone sign of stroke, while chest pain or abdominal pain point to other bodily systems and conditions. If facial droop is observed, treat it as a potential stroke and seek urgent medical care.