A pregnant patient in her third trimester asks the nurse whether ...

[torybrooks]

A pregnant patient in her third trimester asks the nurse whether she can take aspirin for headaches. Which response by the nurse is correct?
 
  a. Aspirin is safe during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
  b. Aspirin may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in your baby.
  c. Aspirin may induce premature labor and should be avoided in the third trimester.
  d. You should use a first-generation nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse that she takes aspirin for menstrual cramps, but she does not feel that it works well. What will the nurse suggest?
 
  a. The patient should avoid any type of COX inhibitor because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
  b. The patient should increase the dose to a level that suppresses inflammation.
  c. The patient should use a first-generation nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication instead.
  d. The patient should use acetaminophen because of its selective effects on uterine smooth muscle.

[irishcancer18]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Aspirin poses risks to the pregnant patient and her fetus, including premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. ASA is not safe, especially in the third trimester, because it can cause anemia and can contribute to postpartum hemorrhage. ASA does not induce labor but can prolong labor by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. NSAIDs have similar effects and also should be avoided.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Aspirin (ASA) has analgesic effects for joint pain, muscle pain, and headache, but it is relatively ineffective against visceral pain, including uterine smooth muscle pain, for which NSAIDs are indicated. The risk of Reye's syndrome is associated with the use of ASA in children to treat fever. Increasing the ASA dose to anti-inflammatory levels is useful for rheumatic fever, tendonitis, and bursitis. Acetaminophen is not effective for dysmenorrhea.

[torybrooks]

Excellent

[softEldritch]

TYSM