Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 519 of 2368
A client takes aspirin daily and has surgery scheduled in two days. Why should the nurse tell the provider about the aspirin?
- The antiplatelet effect lasts for the life of the platelet, so aspirin is withheld for days before surgery.
- The antiplatelet effect ends within a few hours, so the surgery can safely proceed as scheduled.
- The antiplatelet effect can be reversed with protamine sulfate, so the surgery can proceed.
- The antiplatelet effect improves wound healing, so the aspirin should be continued after surgery.
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Correct answer: The antiplatelet effect lasts for the life of the platelet, so aspirin is withheld for days before surgery.
Aspirin affects platelets for 7 to 10 days, so it may need to be held before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.
Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Cardiovascular & Renal Systems: Antiplatelets. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026