Question

A patient is being admitted with a possible stroke. Which information from the assessment indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before giving a prescribed dose of aspirin?

a. The patient has dysphasia.
b. The patient has atrial fib
c. The patient reports that symptoms began with a severe headache.
d. The patient has a history of brief episodes of right-sided hemiplegia.

Answer 1

Aspirin administration in a stroke patient is contraindicated if the patient began experiencing symptoms with a severe headache, suggesting a possible hemorrhagic stroke. Other reported symptoms require careful assessment but may not necessarily preclude the use of aspirin.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient with a possible stroke, the nurse should consult with the healthcare provider before administering aspirin if the patient reports that symptoms began with a severe headache. Dysphasia, also known as difficulty speaking or understanding speech, may indicate a neurological issue that requires further evaluation before administering aspirin. The other information from the assessment does not necessarily contraindicate the use of aspirin in a possible stroke patient. This could indicate a hemorrhagic stroke, for which aspirin, a blood thinner, might worsen the condition and is generally contraindicated. Other symptoms such as dysphasia, a history of atrial fibrillation, or brief episodes of hemiplegia may not be immediate contraindications but still require thorough evaluation as part of stroke protocol.