Which of the following symptoms may indicate the need for IV thrombolytic therapy?

The need for intravenous thrombolytic therapy is typically indicated by symptoms suggesting an acute ischemic stroke. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body is a classic symptom associated with this condition. This unilateral loss of function is often caused by the obstruction of blood flow to parts of the brain and would warrant immediate medical intervention, such as thrombolytic therapy, to restore blood flow and minimize brain damage.

While severe headache might suggest a possible hemorrhagic event or migraine and sudden onset of visual disturbances could indicate various neurological disorders, they do not specifically point to the requirement for thrombolytic therapy as decisively as unilateral weakness or numbness does. Persistent cough, on the other hand, is generally unrelated to the indications for thrombolytic therapy and is not typically associated with an acute ischemic stroke. Thus, the selected symptom is the most relevant for considering this advanced treatment option.