Which statement is true about tPA therapy?

Which statement is true about tPA therapy?

• A. It dissolves all clots in the body
• B. It is contraindicated with thrombocytopenia
• C. It increases blood pressure
• D. It is used to treat infection

Answer: (B)

tPA is a thrombolytic that activates plasmin to break down fibrin and dissolve clots. It doesn’t remove every clot everywhere in the body and is used in specific acute settings within a defined time window, not as a blanket dissolver for all clots. Because it promotes bleeding, conditions that raise bleeding risk are contraindications; thrombocytopenia, with low platelets, significantly increases bleeding risk, making tPA unsafe in that situation. It’s not used to treat infection, and while bleeding is the major concern with tPA, it isn’t a medication chosen to raise blood pressure. Therefore, being contraindicated with thrombocytopenia is the true statement about tPA therapy.

tPA is a thrombolytic that activates plasmin to break down fibrin and dissolve clots. It doesn’t remove every clot everywhere in the body and is used in specific acute settings within a defined time window, not as a blanket dissolver for all clots. Because it promotes bleeding, conditions that raise bleeding risk are contraindications; thrombocytopenia, with low platelets, significantly increases bleeding risk, making tPA unsafe in that situation. It’s not used to treat infection, and while bleeding is the major concern with tPA, it isn’t a medication chosen to raise blood pressure. Therefore, being contraindicated with thrombocytopenia is the true statement about tPA therapy.