Aashi wrote:
Answer:

(D) tPA intravenously

Explanation:

This patient is evaluated within three hours after the onset of his neurological deficit, and he should receive tPA. It is the only approved medication for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. It is effective in reducing neurological deficits in selected patients without CT-scan evidence of intracranial hemorrhage when administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Administration of tPA after three hours has not been proven to be effective or safe. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy a month ago and hematuria alone are not contraindications to the use of tPA. They are relatively minor risks for an increased risk of bleeding. Although the blood pressure is elevated in this case, it is still <185/110 mm Hg. Contraindications to the use of thrombolytics are a recent hemorrhage, an increased risk of hemorrhage, a recent myocardial infarction, an arterial puncture at a noncompressible site within the preceding seven days, major surgery within fourteen days, a systolic blood pressure above 185 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure above 110 mm Hg. Gastrointestinal or severe urinary tract hemorrhage is also a contraindication to thrombolytic therapy. Heparin has no role in the management of patients with completed stroke, except when there is a cardiac source of embolization, such as a thrombus or atrial fibrillation. Treatment is then started with heparin and warfarin. There is an increased risk of early and serious intracranial and extracranial bleeding, and no long-term neurological benefit with heparin treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke.