A patient has been determined to be a candidate for drug therapy with alteplase (Activase). Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the purpose of the drug?
a. It actively dissolves the thrombus that has formed.
b. It prevents the formation of additional thrombi at the site.
c. It prevents breakdown of existing thrombi.
d. It stabilizes the thrombus so no further expansion can occur.
ANS: A
Thrombolytic drugs break down or dissolve thrombi by catalyzing the formation of plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn degrades fibrin present in clots. Alteplase is fibrin-specific.
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