Thrombolytic therapy should be initiated within what time frame of an ischemic stroke to achieve the best functional outcome?

12 hours

9 hours

3 hours

6 hours

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Reasoning:

Choice A reason: Initiating thrombolytic therapy within 12 hours is too late for optimal ischemic stroke outcomes. Beyond 4.5 hours, the risk of hemorrhage outweighs benefits, as ischemic tissue becomes necrotic, reducing the effectiveness of thrombolytics like tPA in restoring blood flow and improving function.

Choice B reason: A 9-hour window for thrombolytic therapy exceeds the recommended time frame for ischemic stroke. After 4.5 hours, the risk of hemorrhagic transformation increases, and neuronal salvage is less likely due to prolonged ischemia, making this time frame ineffective for achieving optimal functional recovery.

Choice C reason: Thrombolytic therapy within 3 hours of ischemic stroke onset maximizes functional outcomes. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) dissolves clots, restoring blood flow to viable brain tissue. Early administration minimizes neuronal damage, reduces disability, and improves recovery, with guidelines supporting a 3–4.5-hour window for eligible patients.

Choice D reason: A 6-hour window for thrombolytics is beyond the optimal 3–4.5-hour period for ischemic stroke. While some patients may benefit up to 4.5 hours, delays increase hemorrhage risk and reduce the likelihood of salvaging ischemic tissue, leading to poorer functional outcomes compared to earlier intervention.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Reasoning:

Choice A reason: Offering large quantities of liquids frequently increases aspiration risk in clients with dysphagia from neurological disorders. Large volumes can overwhelm swallowing mechanisms, leading to choking or pneumonia. Controlled, small sips with proper positioning are safer to ensure nutrition without compromising airway safety.

Choice B reason: Allowing physical activity before meals may improve appetite but does not address swallowing difficulties. Activity does not facilitate safe swallowing in neurological disorders, where muscle coordination is impaired. Proper positioning and pacing during feeding are more effective to prevent aspiration and ensure nutritional intake.

Choice C reason: Helping the client sit upright and feeding slowly minimizes aspiration risk in neurological dysphagia. Upright positioning aligns the airway to prevent food or liquid entry, and slow feeding allows better coordination of swallowing muscles, reducing choking and ensuring adequate nutrition, critical for safe intake.

Choice D reason: Instructing the client to lie down while eating is dangerous in dysphagia, as it increases aspiration risk. Lying down allows food or liquids to enter the airway, potentially causing pneumonia. Upright positioning is essential to facilitate safe swallowing and prevent complications in neurological disorders.

A. The stimulation can increase intracranial pressure (ICP) B. The interaction may cause the client to become violent C. The client may become emotional and lose interest in the treatment D. The interaction may cause migraine in the client

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Reasoning:

Choice A reason: Limiting visitor interaction reduces stimulation, which can increase intracranial pressure (ICP) in clients with cerebral aneurysms. Emotional or physical stress from interactions raises blood pressure, potentially increasing ICP and risking aneurysm rupture, making this a critical measure to maintain stability and prevent catastrophic bleeding.

Choice B reason: Interaction causing violence is not a typical concern in cerebral aneurysm management. Aneurysms may cause neurological symptoms, but violence is unrelated to visitor interactions. The primary risk is increased ICP from stimulation, not behavioral changes, making this an incorrect rationale for limiting visitors.

Choice C reason: Emotional distress from interactions may occur but is not the primary reason to limit visitors. The main concern in cerebral aneurysms is preventing ICP increases from stimulation, which could lead to rupture. Emotional impact on treatment adherence is secondary to this immediate physical risk.

Choice D reason: Migraines are not a direct consequence of visitor interactions in cerebral aneurysm cases. While headaches may occur, the primary concern is increased ICP from stimulation, which raises blood pressure and risks aneurysm rupture, not triggering migraines, which are unrelated to this context.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Thrombolytic therapy should be initiated within what time frame of an ischemic stroke to achieve the best functional outcome?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with a neurological disorder has difficulty swallowing. The nurse should take special care with the client’s diet because of a potential risk of imbalanced nutrition. Which measure may be taken by the nurse to ensure that the client’s diet allows for easy swallowing?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with a cerebral aneurysm. Why does the nurse limit the interaction of visitors or family members with the client who has an aneurysm?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is providing care to a client diagnosed with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The nurse understands that the primary problem involves which gland?

A client is diagnosed with a right-sided stroke. The client is now experiencing hemianopsia. How can the nurse help the client manage potential sensory and perceptual difficulties?

A client who suffered a spinal cord injury is experiencing an exaggerated autonomic response. What aspect of the client’s current health status is most likely to have precipitated this event?

A nurse is reviewing the trend of a client’s scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This provides what potential information to the nurse about the client’s status?

A preceptor discussing stroke with a new nurse on the unit would tell the new nurse that which cardiac dysrhythmia is associated with cardiogenic embolic strokes?

A nurse is completing discharge teaching for the client who has left-sided hemiparesis following a stroke. When investigating the client’s home environment, the nurse should focus on which nursing diagnosis?

A client is seen in the emergency department with severe pain related to a sickle cell crisis. What does the nurse understand is occurring with this client?

A client diagnosed with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is scheduled for a carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The nurse explains that this procedure will be done for what purpose?