Which action is incorrect during the acute phase of stroke treatment?

In the acute phase of stroke treatment, the timing for administering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is critical. The standard protocol for tPA is that it should be given within 3 to 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms. Administering tPA beyond this timeframe poses significant risks and can lead to complications, such as hemorrhagic transformation. Therefore, initiating tPA if it has been more than 4.5 hours since symptom onset would be considered incorrect.

Monitoring vital signs frequently is essential for all patients in the acute phase as it helps in detecting any changes in the patient's condition. Preparing the patient for a CT scan is also an important step to diagnose the type of stroke, either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Assessing swallowing prior to feeding is critical to prevent aspiration, especially after a stroke when the patient may have difficulty swallowing. Thus, the action that corresponds to an incorrect practice during the acute phase is the initiation of tPA if beyond the 4.5-hour timeframe.