A nurse is caring for a client who experienced an acute ischemic stroke 24 hours ago and has received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The client suddenly develops severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and altered level of consciousness. What is the nurse's priority action?

The symptoms suggest hemorrhagic transformation, a life-threatening complication of tPA. The priority is to stop anticoagulants and notify the physician immediately to prevent further bleeding.

Core Nursing Explanation This question tests the nurse's ability to recognize and respond to a life-threatening complication of thrombolytic therapy in a stroke patient. The core concept is hemorrhagic transformation, which is the conversion of an ischemic stroke into a hemorrhagic one, often due to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and vessel wall damage from the initial ischemia, exacerbated by clot-dissolving drugs like tPA. Key Concept Analysis The patient received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for an acute ischemic stroke. tPA works by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which dissolves the fibrin clot causing the stroke. However, a major risk is Key Point! intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), especially within 24-36 hours of administration. The sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and altered level of consciousness (LOC) are classic signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to bleeding. Answer Rationale Key Point! The nurse's priority action is to stop the causative agent and notify the physician immediately. tPA is a systemic anticoagulant/thrombolytic. Continuing its infusion would worsen the bleeding. The physician must be notified to order emergency interventions, which may include administering reversal agents (like cryoprecipitate or aminocaproic acid), ordering an urgent CT scan, and preparing for possible neurosurgical intervention. This action directly addresses the source of the problem to prevent further neurological damage or death. Distractor Analysis Watch out for confusion! While all actions are part of stroke care, they are not the priority in this crisis.
• Option 1 (Administer antihypertensive): Although hypertension can exacerbate bleeding, abruptly lowering blood pressure in the context of an acute stroke can reduce cerebral perfusion pressure and worsen ischemia in the penumbra (the area at risk). Blood pressure management in this scenario must be guided by specific, often strict, physician parameters. Stopping the bleed is more urgent.
• Option 3 (Elevate HOB, provide O2): Elevating the head of the bed (HOB) to 30 degrees (not necessarily 45) and providing oxygen are standard supportive measures for suspected increased ICP. However, they are secondary to stopping the ongoing cause of the ICP rise—the bleeding promoted by tPA.
• Option 4 (Complete neuro assessment): A focused neurological assessment (e.g., using the NIH Stroke Scale or Glasgow Coma Scale) is crucial and should be done rapidly. However, in a true emergency where seconds count, the nurse must first take the action that will halt the progression of the complication. Assessment occurs concurrently and continuously, but intervention cannot wait for a "complete" assessment. Related Concepts This scenario integrates knowledge of stroke pathophysiology, pharmacology of thrombolytics, signs of increased intracranial pressure, and the nursing process for prioritizing interventions (using frameworks like ABCs—Airway, Breathing, Circulation—and "treat the cause").
Concept Summary • tPA (Alteplase): Thrombolytic agent used for acute ischemic stroke within a strict time window (typically 3-4.5 hours from symptom onset). Major risk: Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH). • Hemorrhagic Transformation: A complication where the ischemic brain tissue begins to bleed. tPA increases this risk. • Symptoms of ICH/Increased ICP: "Worst headache of life," nausea/vomiting (often projectile), decreased LOC, focal neurological deficits, pupillary changes. • Nursing Priority: In a drug-induced emergency, stop the drug and notify the provider is often the correct first step.
Side-by-Side Comparison!

Assessment	Ischemic Stroke (Pre-tPA)	Hemorrhagic Transformation (Post-tPA Complication)
Onset	Sudden, but stable or improving with treatment.	Sudden neurological deterioration after initial treatment.
Key Symptoms	Focal weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss.	Severe headache, vomiting, altered LOC, worsening focal signs.
Nursing Action Focus	Monitor for improvement, manage BP per protocol, prevent complications.	Stop tPA infusion immediately, manage airway, prepare for emergency care.

Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology Points • Pathophysiology: Ischemia damages cerebral blood vessels. tPA dissolves the clot but can also cause bleeding through these weakened vessels. • Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): Damage from ischemia increases its permeability, allowing blood components to leak into brain tissue. • tPA Mechanism: Binds to fibrin in a clot and converts entrapped plasminogen to plasmin, leading to fibrinolysis (clot breakdown). • Reversal Agents: Cryoprecipitate (contains fibrinogen), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), or antifibrinolytics like aminocaproic acid may be used.
Memory Tips • Acronym for tPA Risks: "Bleed" – Remember, the biggest worry is bleeding. • Symptom Triad for ICH: Think "Headache, Vomiting, Altered LOC" – "HeV ALert!". • Priority Action: When a drug causes a problem, "Stop the drip, make the call."
High-Frequency NCLEX Topics NCLEX heavily tests medication safety and priority setting. Questions on tPA consistently focus on: 1) Knowing the narrow time window for administration, 2) Recognizing contraindications (e.g., recent surgery, active bleeding), and 3) Identifying signs of complications and the immediate nursing response.
Watch Out for Question Variations! • Instead of "priority action," the question may ask for the "most appropriate nursing diagnosis" (e.g., Risk for Injury related to bleeding). • It may present a patient before tPA administration and ask for a crucial assessment (e.g., "Obtain a platelet count" to check for thrombocytopenia). • The scenario could shift to a different anticoagulant (e.g., heparin) causing bleeding, but the principle remains: stop the drug, notify the provider, monitor for bleeding.

Nursing Clinical Practice Guide Clinical Scenario You are the nurse on a neurology unit. Mr. Johnson, 68, received tPA infusion 22 hours ago for a left middle cerebral artery stroke. He was alert and oriented earlier. His call light activates, and you find him holding his head, moaning, "The worst pain ever," and then he vomits. He becomes increasingly drowsy and difficult to arouse. Nursing Intervention Strategy 1. Immediate Action (Seconds): Stop the tPA infusion immediately at the pump and IV site. Call for help (activate rapid response if available). Notify the attending physician or stroke neurologist STAT via the fastest means (direct phone call). 2. Simultaneous Assessment & Support (Within Minutes): • Airway & Breathing: Ensure patent airway. Position patient in a lateral recumbent position if vomiting continues to prevent aspiration. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula or non-rebreather mask as ordered/per protocol. • Circulation & Neurological: Check vital signs, especially blood pressure. Perform a rapid, focused neurological assessment: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), pupil size and reaction, limb movement. Do not delay intervention for a lengthy exam. • Environment: Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees (if not contraindicated by spinal precautions) to promote venous drainage from the brain. 3. Collaborative Care: Prepare for stat transport to CT scan. Anticipate orders for labs (CBC, coagulation studies, type and crossmatch), reversal agents, and possibly transfer to ICU or neurosurgery. Patient Safety and Precautions • Contraindications Post-Event: Once hemorrhagic transformation is suspected, all anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (heparin, warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin) are held until cleared by neurology/neurosurgery. • Monitoring: Continuous cardiac monitoring (dysrhythmias can occur with ICP changes), strict intake and output (I&O), and frequent neuro checks (every 15-30 minutes initially). • Family Communication: Provide clear, calm updates to the family. Explain the suspected complication and the urgent steps being taken.
Nursing Procedure & Medication Flow Procedure for Managing Suspected tPA-Induced Hemorrhage: 1. STOP the tPA infusion. Do not flush the line. 2. CALL the physician and/or rapid response team. State clearly: "Possible intracranial hemorrhage post-tPA." 3. ASSESS & SUPPORT ABCs and neurological status. 4. PREPARE for reversal: Ensure emergency blood products (cryoprecipitate) and medications (aminocaproic acid) are available per hospital protocol. 5. DOCUMENT meticulously: Time symptoms began, time infusion was stopped, patient's condition, all actions taken, and communications with the provider.
A Word from Your Senior Nurse "Nursing is not just about carrying out physician orders — it's about being the frontline guardian for your patients! In this scenario, you are the one at the bedside who sees the change first. Your knowledge that 'severe headache + vomiting + altered LOC after tPA = possible bleed' and your swift action to stop the infusion can literally save a life. On the NCLEX, they are testing this clinical judgment—can you see the red flags and act on them without hesitation? In real practice, this kind of vigilance defines a great nurse. Always connect the dots between the drug you're giving, its mechanism, and the worst possible side effect. That's how you move from a student to a safe, competent practitioner."