Final answer:
An absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy is evidence of hemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding in the brain is present. Administering thrombolytics would increase the risk of further bleeding and worsen the patient's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse caring for a patient who is suspected to have suffered a stroke should be aware that an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy is evidence of hemorrhagic stroke. Thrombolytic agents, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), are used primarily in the treatment of ischemic strokes, which occur due to a thrombus or embolus blocking a cerebral artery and thus reducing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. In ischemic strokes, thrombolytic therapy must be administered ideally within the 3-hour window from the onset of symptoms to improve prognosis significantly by dissolving the clot and restoring blood flow.
However, in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, where there is bleeding into the brain due to a damaged blood vessel, thrombolytic therapy would be contraindicated because it could exacerbate bleeding and worsen the patient’s condition. Thus, it is crucial to determine the type of stroke through imaging studies before considering thrombolytic therapy.