Which of the following is a contraindication for the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)?

a) Systolic blood pressure less than or equal to 185 mm Hg

b) Ischemic stroke

c) Intracranial hemorrhage

d) Age 18 years of age or older

Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage

A client is receiving an I.V. infusion of mannitol (Osmitrol) after undergoing intracranial surgery to remove a brain tumor. To determine whether this drug is producing its therapeutic effect, the nurse should consider which finding most significant?

a) Elevated blood pressure

b) Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)

c) Increased urine output

d) Decreased heart rate

Answer: Increased urine output

The nurse is providing diet-related advice to a male patient following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The patient wants to minimize the volume of food and yet meet all nutritional elements. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse give to the patient about controlling the volume of food intake?

a) Provide a high-fat diet.

b) Include dry or crisp foods and chewy meats.

c) Always serve hot or tepid foods.

d) Provide thickened commercial beverages and fortified cooked cereals.

Answer: Provide thickened commercial beverages and fortified cooked cereals.

A patient is admitted via ambulance to the emergency room of a stroke center at 1:30 p.m. with symptoms that the patient said began at 1:00 p.m. Within 1 hour, an ischemic stroke had been confirmed and the doctor ordered tPA. The nurse knows to give this drug no later than what time?

a) 5:30 p.m.

b) 3:00 p.m.

c) 4:00 p.m.

d) 2:30 p.m.

Answer: 4:00 p.m.

A patient has been diagnosed as having global aphasia. The nurse recognizes that the patient will be unable to do which of the following actions?

a) Form words that are understandable

b) Speak at all

c) Form words that are understandable or comprehend the spoken word

d) Comprehend the spoken word

Answer: Form words that are understandable or comprehend the spoken word

Which of the following is the initial diagnostic test for a stroke?

a) Noncontrast CT scan

b) Transcranial Doppler studies

c) ECG

d) Carotid Doppler

Answer: Noncontrast CT scan