Author Question: A client has been admitted for treatment of salicylism. The nurse would expect laboratory results to ... (Read 83 times)

aabwk4 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client has been admitted for treatment of salicylism. The nurse would expect laboratory results to include a serum salicylate level:

1. below 100 mcg/mL.
2. above 200 mcg/mL.
3. above 400 mcg/mL.
4. of 100 mcg/mL.

Question 2

A client has been advised to take a low-dose aspirin daily. Which significant adverse effect of aspirin should the nurse teach this client about?

1. Significant stomach irritation, heartburn, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain
2. Significant tremors and change in level of consciousness
3. An increase in the amount of platelets in the body, causing blood clots to occur
4. Direct effect on the central nervous system, causing irritability and decreased level of consciousness

amy.lauersdorf90 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The serum salicylate level would not be below 100 mcg/mL.
Rationale 2: Salicylism is a serum salicylate level above 200 mcg/mL.
Rationale 3: Salicylism is not defined as a serum salicylate level above 400 mcg/mL.
Rationale 4: The serum salicylate level would be above 100 mcg/mL.
Global Rationale: Acute or chronic overdose of aspirin is known as salicylism, which is defined as a serum salicylate level above 200 mcg/mL.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A major adverse effect of aspirin is the risk of GI bleeding. It causes significant stomach irritation, heartburn, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Rationale 2: Aspirin has no effect on the level of consciousness unless it is taken for prolonged periods of time and in high doses, causing aspirin toxicity.
Rationale 3: Aspirin has an impact on platelet aggregation by inhibiting the synthesis of thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor that normally increases platelet aggregation. At high levels, aspirin inhibits synthesis of a vasodilator that normally inhibits platelet aggregation.
Rationale 4: Aspirin has no direct effect on the central nervous system.
Global Rationale: The major adverse effect of aspirin is the risk of serious hypersensitivity reaction, but it also causes significant stomach irritation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain in 10 to 30 of patients. Risk of GI bleeding increases with dose. Aspirin has no effect on the central nervous system or level of consciousness unless it is taken for prolonged periods of time and in high doses, causing aspirin toxicity. Aspirin has an impact on platelet aggregation by inhibiting the synthesis of thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor that normally increases platelet aggregation. At high levels, aspirin inhibits synthesis of a vasodilator that normally inhibits platelet aggregation.