"Active Bleeding" When considering NSAID administration
Question #9
If a patient has an isolated closed fracture - for example, an isolated lower leg injury with obvious deformity making us suspect a tib/fib fracture - are they contraindicated for NSAIDS because there’s the possibility the broken bones can rupture blood vessels and cause internal bleeding (and thus the patient has “current active bleeding”)? Or can we administer NSAIDS to this type of patient?
Answer:
This patient is not contraindicated for NSAIDs as there is no "active bleeding." In the directive, "active bleeding" is meant to be literal, overtly obvious bleeding. The companion document explains what is meant by active bleeding. The patient you described could be considered for NSAID administration.
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Medical Directive Category
Analgesia
Published
23 January 2025
ALSPCS Version
5.3
Views
37
Please reference the MOST RECENT ALS PCS for updates and changes to these directives.