A patient is brought by ambulance to the emergency department after suffering what the family thinks is a stroke. The nurse caring for this patient is aware that an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy is what?
A) A patient who is anticoagulated
B) A patient who is hypertensive
C) A patient with evidence of stroke evolution
D) A patient with symptom onset less than 3 hours prior to admission
Ans: A
Feedback: A patient who is anticoagulated would be at too high a risk for bleeding; thrombolytic therapy must occur within 3 hours of onset of symptoms due to revascularization of necrotic tissue, which increases the risk for cerebral edema and hemorrhage.
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The nurse is caring for a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome. What will be the focus of nursing care? (Select all that apply.)
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