NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Ace your North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) with our comprehensive practice test. Features include interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations. Fast-track your pharmacy career today!

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Within how many hours of symptom onset should alteplase be administered for it to be effective?

1 hour
3 hours
4.5 hours
6 hours

The correct answer is: 3 hours

Alteplase is a thrombolytic medication used to treat acute ischemic stroke by breaking down blood clots. The effectiveness of alteplase is highest when administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. Administering the medication promptly is crucial to improve the chances of restoring blood flow to the brain and minimizing potential long-term damage. Therefore, timely administration within the 3-hour window is essential for optimal outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Options A, C, and D are not correct because administering alteplase within these time frames would not maximize its effectiveness in treating acute ischemic stroke.