Which condition is a contraindication to giving chewable aspirin in a suspected cardiac event?

• A. Chest pain improved
• B. History of aspirin use today
• C. Stable condition
• D. Active bleeding or allergy to NSAIDs

Answer: (D)

Chewable aspirin is given in a suspected cardiac event to inhibit platelet aggregation and help prevent clot growth, but it cannot be given if there is a real contraindication. The strongest contraindication here is active bleeding or an allergy to NSAIDs (including aspirin). If there is active bleeding, thinning the blood can worsen the bleeding and harm the patient. If the patient has an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs, giving it could trigger a dangerous allergic reaction. Because of these risks, this scenario is not safe to treat with aspirin.

The other situations aren’t contraindications. If chest pain has improved, aspirin can still be helpful because it may prevent a new clot even if symptoms lessen. A patient who has taken aspirin earlier today or who is in a stable condition isn’t a reason to withhold aspirin, assuming there’s no allergy or active bleeding.