A client diagnosed with a stroke is going to receive treatment ...

[Pea0909berry]

A client diagnosed with a stroke is going to receive treatment with fibrinolytic therapy using the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator alteplase.
 
  Which information will the nurse include when performing medication teaching for the client's family?
  A) Used to treat thrombotic and hemorrhagic strokes
  B) Not associated with serious complications
  C) Indicated if the stroke symptoms have occurred within the last 6 hours
  D) Administered to dissolve the clot that is occluding the cerebral circulation and reestablish circulation to the involved part of the brain

Question 2

The nurse is instructing the spouse of a client with a stroke on how to do passive range of motion to the affected limbs.
 
  Which rationale for this intervention will the nurse include in the teaching session?
  A) Improve muscle strength.
  B) Maintain cardiopulmonary function.
  C) Improve endurance.
  D) Maintain joint flexibility.

[LVPMS]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: D

Thrombolytic therapy using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is used to dissolve the clot formed with a thrombotic stroke. Dissolving the clot reestablishes cerebral circulation. The treatment can be used if the symptoms have occurred within the last 3 hours. Bleeding is a complication associated with the treatment, which may result in cerebral hemorrhage causing extensive brain damage and disability. The treatment is only used with thrombotic strokes.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: D

Passive range-of-motion exercises help to maintain joint flexibility. Active range-of-motion exercises improve muscle strength, improve endurance, and can help maintain cardiopulmonary functioning. The nurse should instruct the spouse that the exercises will help with joint flexibility.