A patient with a prosthetic mitral valve discontinues daily aspirin prior to surgery. Which statement describes the rationale for this action?

A patient with a prosthetic mitral valve discontinues daily aspirin prior to surgery. Which statement describes the rationale for this action?

• A. To improve anesthesia
• B. To prevent clotting
• C. To reduce bleeding risk
• D. To relieve pain

Answer: (C)

Stopping daily aspirin before surgery is done to lower the chance of excessive bleeding during the procedure. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelets, impairing platelet aggregation and increasing surgical bleeding risk. Because platelets do not regain function until new ones are produced, stopping aspirin for several days allows new, functional platelets to circulate, reducing bleeding during the operation. (This choice focuses on bleeding risk reduction rather than preventing clotting or addressing pain.)

Stopping daily aspirin before surgery is done to lower the chance of excessive bleeding during the procedure. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelets, impairing platelet aggregation and increasing surgical bleeding risk. Because platelets do not regain function until new ones are produced, stopping aspirin for several days allows new, functional platelets to circulate, reducing bleeding during the operation. (This choice focuses on bleeding risk reduction rather than preventing clotting or addressing pain.)