18th August 2024

An 84-year-old woman is brought in to hospital because her family found that they could not understand

An 84-year-old woman is brought in to hospital because her family found that they could not understand what she was saying and they report some facial drooping which started 3 hours ago. She has a background of atrial fibrillation for which she takes warfarin, diabetes for which she takes metformin and has recently been given a course of fluconazole by her GP for oral thrush. On examination, she has flattening of the nasolabial fold and a receptive aphasia. She also has right homonymous superior quadrantanopia. Her blood pressure is 135/80 and blood sugar is 6.7 mmol/L. CT scan demonstrates an area of hyperdensity in the left temporal lobe. What is the initial treatment that should be given?

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