Thrombolytic agents
Thrombolytic agents ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has received a thrombolytic agent for an acute ischemic stroke. The nurse notes that the client’s activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 120 seconds. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
Choice A is wrong because the finding is not normal and requires immediate intervention.
Choice B is wrong because vitamin K is an antidote for warfarin, an oral anticoagulant, not for a thrombolytic agent. Vitamin K would not reverse the effects of a thrombolytic agent.
Choice C is wrong because protamine sulfate is an antidote for heparin, an injectable anticoagulant, not for a thrombolytic agent. Protamine sulfate would not reverse the effects of a thrombolytic agent.
The nurse should notify the health care provider because an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 120 seconds is significantly elevated and indicates a high risk of bleeding. The normal range for aPTT is 25 to 35 seconds. A thrombolytic agent is a medication that dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain after an acute ischemic stroke. However, it can also cause excessive bleeding and hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
The nurse should notify the health care provider because an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 120 seconds is significantly elevated and indicates a high risk of bleeding. The normal range for aPTT is 25 to 35 seconds. A thrombolytic agent is a medication that dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain after an acute ischemic stroke. However, it can also cause excessive bleeding and hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
Choice A is wrong because the finding is not normal and requires immediate intervention.
Choice B is wrong because vitamin K is an antidote for warfarin, an oral anticoagulant, not for a thrombolytic agent.
Vitamin K would not reverse the effects of a thrombolytic agent.
Choice C is wrong because protamine sulfate is an antidote for heparin, an injectable anticoagulant, not for a thrombolytic agent.
Protamine sulfate would not reverse the effects of a thrombolytic agent.