Based on the information in the electronic health record, complete the sentences using the drop-down lists. The nurse's initial action after assessing the patient at 1600 is todropdown. The nurse suspects the client's new symptoms are related todropdown.
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale for Correct Answers: Notify the provider: The client’s sudden change in level of consciousness, restlessness, irritability, and new headache after receiving alteplase indicates a potentially serious complication. Immediate notification of the healthcare provider is critical to ensure prompt evaluation, possible imaging, and interventions to prevent further neurological deterioration. Increased intracranial pressure: The new neurological symptoms, decreased responsiveness, irritability, and headache, suggest rising intracranial pressure (ICP), likely secondary to cerebral edema following ischemic stroke and thrombolytic therapy. Increased ICP can compromise cerebral perfusion and oxygenation, leading to rapid neurological decline. Early recognition and intervention are essential to prevent permanent damage or herniation. Rationale for Incorrect Answers: Encourage the client to rest quietly: This delays emergency intervention. The symptoms indicate possible intracranial bleeding, not simple fatigue. Document the findings and continue routine monitoring: Routine monitoring is inappropriate when there is a sudden neurologic change after thrombolytic therapy. This is not stable, it is a potential life-threatening complication. Hypoglycemia: This can cause altered LOC, but there is no evidence in the scenario suggesting low blood glucose. Additionally, the new severe headache strongly suggests increased ICP. Anxiety: This does not cause decreased level of consciousness or focal neurologic decline.