Acute Ischemic Stroke

A 62-year-old man has sudden weakness of the left arm and leg and slurred speech. Except for untreated hypertension, his medical history is unremarkable. He is a current smoker with a smoking history of 45 pack-years. On arrival at the emergency department 1 hour 15 minutes after the onset of symptoms, he reports no headache or vomiting. His blood pressure is 180/100 mm Hg; his pulse is 76 beats per minute and is regular. How should this patient be evaluated and treated in the short term?