North Carolina EMT-Basic (EMT-B) State Practice Exam

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), commonly known as aspirin, is often used in the management of cardiovascular emergencies due to its antiplatelet effects, which can help prevent further clotting. However, there are critical considerations in certain situations that may make its administration inappropriate.

In patients with a known history of gastric ulcers or bleeding risks, aspirin can exacerbate these conditions due to its blood-thinning properties and potential to irritate the stomach lining. This irritation can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, which is particularly concerning in an emergency setting where the patient may already be vulnerable or in a critical state.

Additionally, while allergic reactions to aspirin are relatively rare, they are serious when they occur and can lead to conditions like asthma exacerbations or anaphylaxis. In an emergency context, the risk of an adverse allergic reaction should also be carefully weighed.

Given these concerns—both the potential for gastric ulcer or bleeding complications and the risk of allergic reaction—it's important to recognize that administering aspirin in certain cases could lead to more harm than benefit. Thus, the comprehensive understanding that both ulcer/bleeding risks and allergy considerations are present supports the choice of C, indicating that both factors are significant when determining the appropriateness of administering acetylsalicy