Which statement made by a client taking aspirin indicates an understanding of its use?

The correct answer is choice A. Hepatic necrosis.Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common cause of drug-induced liver injury and can lead to hepatic necrosis, especially in patients who have chronic hepatitis C.APAP is metabolized by the liver and produces a toxic intermediate called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which can deplete glutathione and damage hepatocytes.Patients who have chronic hepatitis C may have reduced glutathione levels and increased oxidative stress, making them more susceptible to APAP toxicity.

Choice B. Pulmonary fibrosis is wrong because APAP does not cause pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that involves scarring of the lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.Some drugs that can cause pulmonary fibrosis are amiodarone, bleomycin, methotrexate and nitrofurantoin.

Choice C. Pancreatitis is wrong because APAP does not cause pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can result from gallstones, alcohol abuse, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, infections, trauma or certain medications.

Some drugs that can cause pancreatitis are azathioprine, valproic acid, didanosine and pentamidine.

Choice D. Cardiac dysrhythmias is wrong because APAP does not cause cardiac dysrhythmias.

Cardiac dysrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can result from electrolyte imbalances, ischemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, congenital defects or certain medications.

Some drugs that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias are digoxin, quinidine, sotalol and erythromycin.

The correct answer is choice A, B, C, and E. The nurse should use the following strategies to assess this client’s pain:

• Ask yes or no questions: This can help the client to communicate their pain level and location with minimal language difficulty.

• Use a visual analog scale (VAS): This is a self-report pain scale that uses a line with endpoints labeled as “no pain” and “worst pain imaginable”.The client can point to a position on the line that corresponds to their pain intensity.VAS has been shown to be feasible, valid, and reliable for stroke patients with mild-to-moderate aphasia.

• Observe for nonverbal cues: This can include facial expressions, body movements, vocalizations, and changes in vital signs that may indicate pain.Nonverbal cues are especially important for clients with severe aphasia who cannot use self-report scales.

• Involve family members or caregivers: They can provide information about the client’s pain history, preferences, and behaviors that may indicate pain.They can also help the nurse to communicate with the client and interpret their responses.

Choice D is wrong because open-ended questions require more complex language skills and may frustrate the client with aphasia.The nurse should use simple and direct questions that can be answered with yes or no, gestures, or pointing.