Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an outpatient surgical procedure and reports taking aspirin 81 MG daily, including this morning. The nurse should identify that this places the client at risk for which of the following complications?

1) Bleeding
2) Infection
3) Pain
4) Nausea

Answer 1

Taking 81 mg of aspirin daily, including on the morning of an outpatient surgical procedure, places the client at an increased risk for bleeding due to its anti-platelet properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question is concerning a client scheduled for an outpatient surgical procedure who has reported taking a daily dose of 81 mg aspirin, including on the morning of the surgery. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), aspirin has properties that inhibit the aggregation of platelets.

This is because aspirin blocks enzymes involved in pain and inflammation, particularly ones responsible for the formation of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a potent agent in platelet aggregation. As described in the provided references, aspirin's action on platelet function can increase bleeding time and may lead to an increased risk for bleeding during or after surgery. Therefore, it is generally recommended that aspirin be discontinued 10-14 days before a surgical procedure to minimize this risk. This information alerts healthcare providers to the potential for increased bleeding in patients who have recently taken aspirin.