A stroke is an acute interruption of cerebral blood flow causing focal neurological deficits lasting >24 hours (or resulting in death); a transient ischemic attack (TIA) produces identical symptoms resolving within 24 hours (most within 60 minutes) and carries a 10–15% 90-day stroke risk, with 50% occurring within 48 hours of the TIA. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in Canada. Missing the treatment window — 4.5 hours for IV alteplase in ischemic stroke and up to 24 hours for mechanical thrombectomy in selected patients — converts a treatable event into permanent disability or death. The top three nursing priorities are: (1) rapid neurological assessment using NIHSS and CT head to classify ischemic vs. hemorrhagic before ANY treatment, (2) time-to-needle and time-to-puncture optimization ('Time is Brain' — 1.9 million neurons die per minute), and (3) prevention of secondary brain injury from hypoxia, hyperglycemia, hyperthermia, and hypertension beyond target. Common NCLEX trap: Candidates administer or prepare to administer tPA (alteplase) for hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is an absolute contraindication to thrombolytics. Always...