What should be done if a patient is exhibiting signs of stroke?

When a patient exhibits signs of a stroke, activating emergency services immediately is crucial because a stroke is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Time is of the essence; the sooner a stroke is treated, the better the chances of minimizing brain damage and maximizing recovery.

Emergency medical personnel are trained to assess the patient's condition, initiate necessary treatment, and transport them to a facility specializing in stroke care, where further diagnostic tests and interventions such as medications to dissolve blood clots can be administered if indicated.

Other options, such as giving the patient water, waiting for symptoms to subside, or administering oxygen, can either complicate the situation or delay critical medical intervention. For instance, offering water could lead to choking, especially if the patient's ability to swallow is compromised. Waiting for symptoms to resolve overlooks the urgent need for evaluation and treatment, and administering oxygen could only be appropriate under specific guidelines or protocols, not as a first line of action in stroke management. Thus, immediate activation of emergency services is the most effective and necessary response.