Question

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who suddenly lost consciousness and fell while at home. The provider determines that the client had an embolic stroke. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to adminster?

a) Alteplase
b) Aspirin
c) Warfarin
d) Clopidogrel

Answer 1

A nurse should expect to administer alteplase, a thrombolytic agent, in the case of an embolic stroke to quickly dissolve the clot and restore blood flow to the brain when treatment is provided within 3 to 4 hours of the stroke occurring.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the event of an embolic stroke, immediate treatment is crucial for the best possible recovery. A nurse working in an emergency department would most likely administer the medication alteplase. Alteplase is a thrombolytic agent designed to break down the blood clot causing the stroke. In the case of ischemic strokes, which account for approximately 90% of all strokes, the administration of a clot-busting drug like alteplase within 3 to 4 hours can prevent permanent brain damage by restoring blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Therefore, for a client who suddenly lost consciousness and is determined to have had an embolic stroke, the nurse should expect to administer alteplase (a). Other medications like aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel may be used in preventing strokes or as part of ongoing management but are not the first-line treatment in acute stroke situations where rapid clot dissolution is needed.