A nurse is caring for a client who is about to begin taking aspirin to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. The nurse should identify that the drug inhibits platelet aggregation by which of the following mechanisms?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inhibiting cyclooxygenase action in platelets. Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase, specifically COX-1, in platelets, leading to the inhibition of thromboxane A2 production. Thromboxane A2 is a potent platelet aggregator. By inhibiting its production, aspirin reduces platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
A: Activating thromboxane A2 - This is incorrect because aspirin actually inhibits the production of thromboxane A2.
B: Blocking adenosine diphosphate receptor agonists - This is incorrect because aspirin primarily works through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, not adenosine diphosphate receptors.
C: Suppressing specific clotting factors - This is incorrect because aspirin's primary mechanism of action is through platelet inhibition, not through suppressing clotting factors.