A 74-year-old female may be having a stroke. Which sign would support this diagnosis?

In the context of a potential stroke, a left-sided facial droop indicates that there may be dysfunction affecting the right side of the brain. This is because each hemisphere of the brain controls movement on the opposite side of the body. A facial droop suggests that there is a disruption in the brain's ability to control muscles in the face, which is a common sign of a stroke. This symptom, along with others such as weakness in one side of the body or difficulty speaking, can help confirm the suspicion of a cerebrovascular accident.

While other options provide some information regarding the patient's condition, they do not specifically indicate a stroke. Not showing any physical symptoms would typically suggest there is no acute neurological deficit. Right-sided weakness could imply a stroke, but it’s more indicative of the left side of the brain being affected. Reporting a headache may occur in many conditions, including migraines or tension headaches, but it does not pinpoint the likelihood of a stroke without accompanying neurological signs.

Therefore, the presence of a left-sided facial droop is key in supporting a stroke diagnosis, as it specifically highlights the potential issue with brain function related to stroke.