Paramedic School Entry Practice Exam

Administering aspirin has several contraindications, and one of the most significant is active gastrointestinal bleeding. Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that can inhibit normal blood clotting. When gastrointestinal bleeding is present, aspirin can exacerbate the condition by further impeding clot formation, potentially leading to increased bleeding and serious complications.

In patients with active gastrointestinal bleeding, the use of aspirin not only poses risks to their immediate health but can also interfere with healing and recovery processes. The practice of avoiding aspirin in these cases is grounded in the principle of first do no harm, as the risks substantially outweigh the benefits when bleeding is already occurring.

Other scenarios, while they may present challenges or require caution, do not pose the same level of immediate danger associated with active bleeding. For example, chest pain without additional symptoms might require aspirin to mitigate heart attack risk, and while recent NSAID use can create issues, it does not represent an immediate contraindication like active bleeding. Furthermore, using aspirin for headache relief, while not always appropriate, does not generally involve the same risks as bleeding.