Thrombolytics: alteplase in stroke: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pharmacology · Thrombolytics: alteplase in stroke

Sample item

A patient reaches hospital 3 hours after the onset of ischaemic stroke with no haemorrhage on CT. Up to what time from onset can intravenous alteplase be given?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. 4.5 hours

Intravenous alteplase benefits selected patients with ischaemic stroke when started within 4.5 hours of symptom onset after haemorrhage is excluded. Beyond this, advanced imaging selection or thrombectomy pathways are used.

Option by option

  • A. 4.5 hours (correct)

    Correct. The standard window is 4.5 hours.

  • B. 1 hour

    One hour is far too short.

  • C. 12 hours

    Twelve hours exceeds the window for standard use.

  • D. 24 hours

    Twenty-four hours is beyond the window.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, 4.5 hours. Intravenous alteplase benefits selected patients with ischaemic stroke when started within 4.

Why is "1 hour" not the answer?

One hour is far too short.

Why is "12 hours" not the answer?

Twelve hours exceeds the window for standard use.

Why is "24 hours" not the answer?

Twenty-four hours is beyond the window.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thrombolytics: alteplase in stroke in Pharmacology. 5 hours of symptom onset after haemorrhage is excluded. Beyond this, advanced imaging selection or thrombectomy pathways are used.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thrombolytics: alteplase in stroke?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.