Final answer:
Aspirin is contraindicated for MI patients when taken on an empty stomach, especially if there's a risk of gastrointestinal side effects such as irritation or bleeding. The correct answer from the provided options is 'c) On an empty stomach'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin is commonly used as an antiplatelet medication to help prevent blood clots in patients who have had myocardial infarctions (MIs), also known as heart attacks. However, there are situations where aspirin may be contraindicated for an MI patient. While the provided options do not directly relate to the standard contraindications, the closest option related to timing would be that aspirin should not be taken 'c) On an empty stomach' if the patient has a history of stomach ulcers or is at risk of gastrointestinal bleeding because aspirin can irritate the stomach lining.
In general, contraindications for aspirin therapy in MI patients might include known aspirin allergy, bleeding disorders, or when a patient is already on anticoagulant therapy that would increase the risk of bleeding. The reference to taking aspirin 'with meals' refers to the advice often given to reduce stomach irritation, and 'before bedtime' has no typical contraindication relevance. Therefore, to answer the question, the contraindication for taking aspirin in MI patients that best fits the given options is 'c) On an empty stomach', particularly if there is concern about gastrointestinal side effects.