A patient is taking aspirin for arthritis. Which adverse reaction should the nurse teach the patient to report to the health care provider?

Tinnitus

Seizures

Sinusitis

Palpitations

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Aspirin is a salicylate commonly prescribed for its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects in conditions like arthritis. However, it carries a risk of toxicity (salicylism), especially with long-term or high-dose use. One of the earliest warning signs of toxicity is tinnitus, which must be promptly reported to prevent progression to severe complications.

Rationale for correct answer:
A. Tinnitus: Persistent ringing in the ears is a hallmark early symptom of salicylism. Reporting it immediately allows the provider to adjust the dose or discontinue therapy before more serious effects (vertigo, metabolic acidosis, respiratory depression) develop.

Rationale for incorrect answers:
B. Seizures: While seizures may occur in severe salicylate poisoning, they are a late and rare manifestation. The nurse should emphasize earlier warning signs like tinnitus rather than seizures.
C. Sinusitis: This is unrelated to aspirin use and not an expected adverse effect.
D. Palpitations: Aspirin does not typically cause palpitations. Cardiac symptoms are not primary concerns with salicylates.

Take-home points:

Tinnitus is an early indicator of aspirin toxicity and must be reported promptly.
Salicylism may progress to more severe CNS and metabolic effects if unrecognized.
Patient teaching for long-term aspirin use should focus on GI safety (ulcer risk) and early signs of toxicity.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","D","F"]

Explanation

Aspirin is a salicylate with multiple pharmacologic actions, but its main therapeutic effects are pain relief, reduction of inflammation, and fever reduction. Understanding these effects helps guide its appropriate clinical use and patient education.

Rationale for correct answers:

A. Analgesic:
Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, which reduces pain, making it effective for mild to moderate pain such as headaches, musculoskeletal pain, or postoperative discomfort.

D. Anti-inflammatory:
By inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, aspirin reduces the production of prostaglandins involved in inflammation, making it useful in conditions like arthritis.

F. Antipyretic:
Aspirin acts on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center to lower fever, helping manage febrile conditions.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

B. Anesthetic:
Aspirin does not produce loss of sensation. Local or general anesthetics are required for that effect.

C. Antidote:
Aspirin cannot reverse toxic effects of other drugs; it has no antidotal properties.

E. Antiemetic:
Aspirin does not prevent nausea or vomiting. Other medications like ondansetron are used for that purpose.

G. Antiepileptic:
Aspirin does not prevent seizures; antiepileptic drugs are required for seizure control.

Take-home points:

Aspirin’s primary actions are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic.
It does not act as an anesthetic, antidote, antiemetic, or antiepileptic.
Understanding these effects ensures safe and effective use while minimizing unnecessary or ineffective administration.

A. Renal insufficiency B. Severe asthma C. Sleep apnea D. Severe head injury E. Liver disease

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

Opioid analgesics are effective for moderate to severe pain but have significant central nervous system and respiratory depressant effects. Nurses must assess for conditions that increase the risk of respiratory compromise or intracranial pressure before administration.

Rationale for correct answers:

B. Severe asthma:
Opioids can depress respiratory drive and reduce the body’s response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. In patients with severe asthma, this can precipitate life-threatening respiratory compromise.

C. Sleep apnea:
Patients with sleep apnea already have intermittent airway obstruction during sleep. Opioids can worsen hypoventilation and apnea episodes, increasing the risk of severe hypoxia.

D. Severe head injury:
Opioids can increase intracranial pressure and mask changes in neurological status, making monitoring of head injury patients more difficult and potentially dangerous.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

A. Renal insufficiency:
Opioids can be used with caution in renal impairment, adjusting doses if necessary. They are not strictly contraindicated.

E. Liver disease:
Most opioids are metabolized by the liver, so caution and dose adjustment may be needed, but they are not absolute contraindications unless there is severe hepatic failure.

Take-home points:

Opioids can depress respiration, so avoid in severe asthma, sleep apnea, and head injury.
Dose adjustments may be necessary for renal or hepatic impairment, but these conditions are not absolute contraindications.
Always monitor for signs of respiratory depression and CNS changes in high-risk patients.

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A patient is taking aspirin for arthritis. Which adverse reaction should the nurse teach the patient to report to the health care provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is ["A","D","F"]

Explanation

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Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

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A patient is taking aspirin for arthritis. Which adverse reaction should the nurse teach the patient to report to the health care provider?