A patient is in the emergency department with an occluded coronary artery due to a thrombus.Which type of drug can break apart this blood clot and restore circulation in the artery?
A)a drug for hyperlipidemia
B)aspirin
C)a thrombolytic drug
D)digoxin (Lanoxin)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thrombolytic drugs, also called fibrinolytics, are used to dissolve blood clots by activating the body's natural clot-dissolving system. They are frequently used to treat occluded coronary arteries due to a thrombus in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction. Aspirin can help prevent further clot formation, but it cannot break up an existing clot. Drugs for hyperlipidemia, such as statins, can help prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup that can lead to thrombus formation, but they are not used to break up clots. Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart failure and certain arrhythmias; it has no role in the management of an occluded coronary artery.

A Patient Is in the Emergency Department with an Occluded