aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)

PO: 350-650 mg q4h (max: 4 g/day)

medication administration

salicylate; COX inhibitor

pharmacologic class

Assess pain and limitation of movement Assess fever and associated symptoms Monitor hepatic panel, coagulation labs, and serum salicylate levels Use lowest effective doses for short periods of time Administer after meals or with food or antacid to minimize GI effects Patient education

nursing interventions

nonopioid analgesic; NSAID; antipyretic

therapeutic class

reduces pain and inflammation, relieves mild to moderate fever, anticoagulant activity, reduce risk of mortality following MI, reduce risk of colon cancer

therapeutic use

- instruct patient to take with full glass of water and to sit upright for 15-30 minutes after administration - advise patient to report signs of toxicity (tinnitus, black tarry stools, bruising, etc.) - caution patient to not drink alcohol while on medication to minimize GI effects - tablets with acidic odor should be discarded - inform HCP of medication regimen prior to surgery

client education

gastric discomfort and bleeding

complications

patients receiving coagulation therapy

contraindications

- relief of mild to moderate discomfort - increased ease of joint movement - reduction of fever - prevention of transient ischemic attacks - prevention of MI

evaluation of medication effectiveness

inhibits prostaglandin synthesis involved in the process of pain and inflammation and produces mild to moderate relief of fever

expected pharmacologic action

drug-drug: phenobarbital, antacids, glucocorticoids; NSAIDs, uricosuric drugs, sulfa drugs; insulin, methotrexate, phenytoin, sulfonamides, penicillin; alcohol, pyrazolone derivatives, steroids herbal/food: feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo

interactions