The stroke team and primary nurse received CT scan results of their client experiencing an ischemic stroke. Which of the following interventions will the team do next?

Choice A reason: Thrombolytic administration within 10 hours is incorrect, as the therapeutic window for thrombolytics like alteplase in ischemic stroke is typically 3–4.5 hours from symptom onset. Beyond this, the risk of hemorrhage outweighs benefits, making timely administration critical to restore cerebral blood flow and minimize brain damage. Choice B reason: Completing neurologic assessments every 12 hours is important for monitoring but is not the next action post-CT confirming ischemic stroke. Urgent thrombolytic therapy (e.g., alteplase) within 4.5 hours takes priority to dissolve the clot, restore perfusion, and limit infarct size, improving neurological outcomes. Choice C reason: Alteplase administration within 4.5 hours is the next step post-CT confirming ischemic stroke. This thrombolytic dissolves the clot obstructing cerebral blood flow, minimizing brain tissue damage. The narrow time window ensures efficacy and reduces hemorrhage risk, making it the priority intervention to improve stroke outcomes. Choice D reason: Vancomycin administration after blood culture is irrelevant for ischemic stroke, which results from a clot, not infection. Antibiotics like vancomycin treat bacterial infections, not cerebral ischemia. The priority is thrombolytic therapy like alteplase to restore blood flow and prevent further brain tissue damage.