Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Linda Lane Lilley: Practice Exam

How is toxicity of thrombolytic drugs primarily treated?

1. Antidote administration

2. Symptomatic and supportive care

3. Immediate surgery

4. Long-term medication therapy

The correct answer is: Symptomatic and supportive care

Thrombolytic (also known as clot-busting) drugs are used to dissolve blood clots in certain medical emergencies, such as heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. These drugs can cause serious side effects, including increased risk of bleeding. In case of toxicity or overdose, the primary treatment is to provide symptomatic and supportive care, which typically involves managing bleeding and ensuring adequate hydration and oxygenation. Administering an antidote is not a commonly used treatment for toxicity of thrombolytic drugs, as it does not effectively reverse the effects of the medication. Immediate surgery would only be performed in rare cases when the patient's condition is life-threatening and cannot be managed with supportive care. Long-term medication therapy is used to prevent or treat a medical condition, but is not specific to treating toxicity of thrombolytic drugs.