If a patient presents within 4.5 hours of stroke onset, which therapy can reverse symptoms?

• A. Aspirin therapy
• B. TPA therapy
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Beta-blockers

Answer: (B)

When a stroke is caused by a clot blocking a brain vessel, quickly restoring blood flow can reverse the neurologic symptoms. Giving recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) within 4.5 hours of onset dissolves the clot by converting plasminogen to plasmin, re-establishing perfusion to the affected brain tissue and often improving or reversing deficits if the patient is eligible and treated promptly. Other options don’t reverse the acute deficit: aspirin helps prevent future clots but doesn’t dissolve the current blockage; antibiotics treat infection; beta-blockers don’t restore brain perfusion in the acute stroke setting. Eligibility requires imaging to rule out hemorrhage and no major contraindications, but within the window, this reperfusion therapy is the best choice to reverse symptoms.