Overview

4.7 out of 5 (29 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

25 Jun 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

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$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

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$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user
 
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Activity Description

Acute ischemic stroke remains a global health priority, ranking as the second leading cause of death and third in combined death and disability. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential, given the narrow therapeutic window for thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy. However, 20% to 40% of emergency department stroke presentations are ultimately diagnosed as stroke mimics, creating a critical diagnostic challenge. This activity aims to enhance clinicians’ ability to distinguish true ischemic strokes from mimics, which often present with similar focal neurological deficits. Additionally, studies on the use of thrombolytics in stroke mimics and their relatively low complication rates are discussed, allowing participants to better understand the risk-benefit balance in acute management. 

This course reviews key differentiators, including positive versus negative neurological symptoms, patient demographics, and clinical presentations, as well as the strengths and limitations of diagnostic imaging modalities. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in distinguishing stroke mimics conditions from acute ischemic strokes, performing the recommended evaluation, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing these conditions while minimizing harm from unnecessary interventions.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Differentiate the clinical features of strokes and stroke mimics conditions.

  • Identify the diagnostic findings to distinguish stroke mimics from true cerebrovascular events.

  • Assess the differential diagnoses for a patient presenting with acute neurological symptoms suggestive of an acute stroke.

  • Apply interprofessional team strategies to improve care coordination and outcomes in patients with stroke mimics conditions.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Kimberley S. on 5/18/2021

Hertzel s. on 7/13/2023

Please feel free to give as much detail as felt needed for specific topic for physician. Even extensive differential diagnoses. I feel article is good but may feel a little too basic, simple. Nonetheless appreciate the stat pearl articles.

Joshua B. on 11/17/2023

Ehsan q. on 4/11/2024

on 5/1/2024

marktrop on 6/26/2024

Heidi H. on 1/7/2025

David E. on 1/30/2025

Keerthana A. on 2/25/2025

Zachary d. on 3/18/2025

William D. on 3/20/2025

Stacie C. on 4/8/2025

Shelley L. on 4/12/2025

Neal N. on 5/2/2025

Crystal T. on 8/6/2025

Wojciech F. on 8/7/2025

Stefanie B. on 8/9/2025

Seema B. on 8/18/2025

Bashir S. on 9/23/2025

Kevin R. on 10/5/2025

Mazen A. on 12/10/2025

Marita H. on 1/5/2026

Syed R. on 1/11/2026

Zachary d. on 3/3/2026

I did not realize this activity was not lecture-based until I had already signed up for it.

Tricia D. on 3/7/2026

Aradia F. on 3/16/2026

Nattasha A. on 5/19/2026

Mai-Lynn B. on 6/30/2026

Mazen A. on 7/1/2026

Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user