20th June 2026

A 67-year-old lady with a history of psychosis, diabetes and hypertension is found by her support worker in her accommodation, having weakness down her left side.

A 67-year-old lady with a history of psychosis, diabetes and hypertension is found by her support worker in her accommodation, having weakness down her left side. The support worker quickly recognises that the lady may be having a stroke and calls the ambulance service.  On presentation to the emergency department, the patient is found to have a hemiplegic weakness down her left side, which she states has been like that for the last 8 hours. Her blood pressure is found to be elevated at 190/110.

The emergency team organises a CT head, which shows an evolving right middle cerebral artery infarct. The patient is discussed with the stroke registrar on call, who gives a plan to give aspirin and to admit for monitoring locally for now.

The patient is moved to the acute medical unit. Overnight, the nurse calls you about the patient’s persistently raised blood pressure of 190/110. How would you proceed?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.