The nurse is teaching a patient about using high-dose aspirin to treat arthritis. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should inform the patient that they may need to stop taking high-dose aspirin a week prior to surgery to avoid an increased risk of bleeding. Option A is incorrect because normal serum aspirin levels are between 5 and 20 mg/dL, not 30 to 40 mg/dL. Option C is incorrect because high-dose aspirin does not require monitoring of aspirin levels with warfarin. Option D is partially correct that dark stools may be a side effect of aspirin, but it is important to inform the patient that this can also be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding and they should notify their healthcare provider.

The Nurse Is Teaching a Patient About Using High-Dose Aspirin