The patient is complaining of a severe headache. The physician orders aspirin. Which action by the nurse will result in the fastest relief of the patient's headache?

Question

1. Administer the aspirin with an alkaline food, like cottage cheese.
2. Administer the aspirin in an enteric-coated formulation.
3. Administer the aspirin with a high-fat food, like peanut butter.
4. Administer the aspirin on an empty stomach.

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: Cottage cheese will slow absorption and increase the time for the drug's effect.
Rationale 2: Administering the aspirin in an enteric-coated formulation will lessen gastrointestinal irritation, but will increase the time for the drug's effect.
Rationale 3: Peanut butter will slow absorption and increase the time for the drug's effect.
Rationale 4: Acids such as aspirin are best absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach, so the aspirin should be administered on an empty stomach.
Global Rationale: Acids such as aspirin are best absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach, so the aspirin should be administered on an empty stomach. Administering the aspirin in an enteric-coated formulation will lessen gastrointestinal irritation, but will increase the time for the drug's effect. Peanut butter and cottage cheese will slow absorption and increase the time for the drug's effect.