The nurse is teaching a patient about taking aspirin. Which are important points for the nurse to include? Select all that apply
Advise the patient to avoid alcohol while taking aspirin.
Instruct the patient to take aspirin before meals on an empty stomach.
Instruct the patient to inform the dentist of the aspirin dosage before having dental work.
Instruct the patient to inform the surgeon of the aspirin dosage before having surgery.
Suggest that aspirin may be given to children for flu symptoms.
Correct Answer : A,C,D
Aspirin is a widely used NSAID and antiplatelet agent with important implications for bleeding risk, GI irritation, and safety in children. Patient teaching is essential to prevent complications, especially when aspirin is used long term or in higher doses.
Rationale for correct answers:
A. Advise the patient to avoid alcohol while taking aspirin: Both aspirin and alcohol irritate the gastric mucosa, greatly increasing the risk of GI bleeding and ulcers.
C. Instruct the patient to inform the dentist of the aspirin dosage before having dental work: Since aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, it increases the risk of bleeding during dental procedures. The dentist must be aware to take necessary precautions.
D. Instruct the patient to inform the surgeon of the aspirin dosage before having surgery: Aspirin’s antiplatelet effect lasts the life of a platelet (7–10 days). Surgeons often recommend discontinuing aspirin before surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
B. Instruct the patient to take aspirin before meals on an empty stomach: This is incorrect. Aspirin should be taken with food, milk, or water to reduce gastric irritation.
E. Suggest that aspirin may be given to children for flu symptoms: Aspirin should not be given to children with viral illnesses (such as influenza or chickenpox) because it increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition.
Take-home points:
- Aspirin increases bleeding risk—patients must inform dentists and surgeons before procedures.
- Avoid alcohol while taking aspirin to reduce GI bleeding risk.
- Never give aspirin to children with viral illnesses due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Nalbuphine (Nubain) is an opioid agonist-antagonist used for moderate to severe pain. While effective, it carries opioid-related risks such as respiratory depression and CNS effects, requiring close nursing monitoring and thorough patient teaching.
Rationale for correct answers:
A. Monitor any changes in respirations:
As with other opioids, nalbuphine can depress the respiratory center. Monitoring rate, depth, and pattern is critical, especially after IV administration.
B. Instruct the patient to report bradycardia:
Nalbuphine can slow heart rate. Patients must promptly report dizziness, faintness, or slow pulse to prevent complications.
C. Administer IV nalbuphine undiluted:
This drug may be given undiluted IV, usually slowly over 2 minutes, to reduce adverse effects like hypotension or respiratory depression.
E. Instruct the patient to avoid alcohol when taking nalbuphine to avoid respiratory depression:
Alcohol potentiates CNS and respiratory depression from opioids, so complete avoidance is essential.
Rationale for incorrect answer:
D. Explain to the patient to expect an excessive amount of urine output:
This is false. Nalbuphine does not increase urine output; instead, opioids may cause urinary retention.
Take-home points:
- Always monitor respiratory status and heart rate with nalbuphine.
- Give IV doses undiluted, administered slowly.
- Warn patients about alcohol and CNS depressant interactions.
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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