What is a typical route for aspirin administration in EMS per ICEMA?

• A. Orally, typically chewed if possible.
• B. Intravenous.
• C. Subcutaneous.
• D. Inhaled.

Answer: (A)

Oral administration, chewed if possible, is the typical route. In suspected acute coronary syndrome, aspirin’s job is to rapidly inhibit platelets, and chewing a chewable tablet speeds absorption and onset of action compared with swallowing it whole. This quick, simple method fits the prehospital setting and reduces time to therapeutic effect. Intravenous, subcutaneous, or inhaled routes aren’t standard for aspirin in EMS practice, so they aren’t used in this context.