Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

6 Medical Emergencies

Cincinnati PreHospital Stroke Scale

Test

Normal

Abnormal

Facial Droop: Ask the patient to show teeth or smile. Arm Drift: Ask the patient to close their eyes and hold both arms out with palms up. Speech: Ask the patient to say ‘The sky is blue in Cincinnati.’

Both sides of the face move equally well. Both arms move the same or both do not move.

One side of the face does not move as well as the other. One arm ‘drifts’ down or does not move compared to the other arm.

Patient uses correct words without slurring.

Patient slurs, uses inappropriate words, or is unable to speak.

Testing ArmMovement – Ask the patient to hold both arms out in front of them, palms up, while keeping their eyes closed and to hold them there without moving. Watch the patients hands for 10 seconds. If one side drifts down towards the ground, then you know that side is weak. If both arms stay up and don’t move, then you know that both sides of the brain are working.

If both arms move or the patient does nothing, they may have misunderstood you. Repeat the test but move the patients arms into the start position yourself, reminding them to keep them there with their eyes closed. Testing Speech – Ask the patient to repeat a simple phrase, such as ‘The sky is blue in Cincinnati.’ If they do this properly, you know they can understand you and speak properly.

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