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.