RNPedia PNLE Nursing Practice 3 Test 1 Practice

Which adverse reaction is associated with prolonged aspirin therapy?

Bilateral hearing loss Weight gain Fine motor tremors Respiratory acidosis

Correct Answer:

Bilateral hearing loss

Explanation:

Prolonged aspirin therapy can cause ototoxicity, meaning damage to the ear that affects hearing. Salicylates accumulate in the inner ear and disrupt cochlear function, leading to bilateral hearing loss and often accompanying tinnitus. This effect tends to be dose-related and is usually reversible after stopping or reducing the dose. Early signs to watch for are tinnitus and muffled hearing, especially in people taking high-dose or long-term aspirin. The other options don’t fit this typical adverse effect: weight changes and fine motor tremors aren’t characteristic of aspirin toxicity, and while aspirin can influence acid-base balance in overdose, prolonged use most notably risks hearing loss rather than respiratory acidosis.

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