Question

A pregnant woman asks the nurse why she can't take aspirin for her headaches. What is the nurse's best response?

1. It may cause an allergic reaction in you.
2. It can cause excessive bleeding in the baby.
3. It will interfere with the absorption of iron in your body.
4. It may cause the baby to be born with a cleft lip or palate.

Answer 1

Aspirin should not be taken during pregnancy due to its effect on platelet function, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding, and the potential for severe side effects such as Reye's syndrome. Additionally, aspirin can cause gastrointestinal issues and should be avoided before surgeries to prevent excessive bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response to why a pregnant woman shouldn't take aspirin for her headaches would be that aspirin can interfere with the action of platelets, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin is known to inhibit the formation of blood clots due to its effect on platelet function. This is particularly risky during pregnancy because it can lead to excessive bleeding which may affect both mother and baby. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeds, heart attack, and kidney disease as side effects, and taking aspirin during pregnancy could cause complications such as these. Additionally, it is known that aspirin should not be taken in cases of a viral infection during pregnancy due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, which can cause fatal brain swelling. Hence, acetaminophen is often recommended as a safer alternative for treating pain and fever in pregnant women.