no administration of Heparin, Warfarin or any platelet agent for 24 hours following t-PA administration.
strict maintenance of fluid balance chart
avoid automatic BP cuffs as these will over-inflate and cause bruising - use manual BP cuffs
avoid NGT or IDC in 1st 12 hours
strict rest in bed first 12 hours
falls management
nil orally until speech assessment, preferably at 10-12hours after rt-PA
avoid any invasive therapies during t-PA administration (including TED stockings)
Do not use razor blade for shaving (electric razor only)
monitor BP, vital signs and neuro obs every 15min for 1st 2hrs, then every 30min next 4 hours, then hrly next 4 hours then 2hrly
if BP > 185/110, try GTN patch or iv metoprolol if no C/I
if hypotensive, give NSaline carefully and check other medications that might be causing it as well as for evidence of bleeding.
if GCS drops by 2 or more then this suggests possible intracranial bleed
regular internal bleeding assessment:
Assess for internal bleeding (tachycardia, hypotension, pallor, restlessness, lower back pain, muscle weakness/ numbness in lower extremities).
Any signs or symptoms of internal bleeding to be reported to medical staff immediately.
regular external bleeding assessment:
repeat FBE, clotting at 6hrs, 12hrs and 24hrs taken from non-tPA bung after discarding 1st 5mls.
rt-PA precautions may be ceased 24 hours post infusion.