Which statement best describes acetaminophen in comparison with NSAIDs?

Which statement best describes acetaminophen in comparison with NSAIDs?

• A. Acetaminophen is analgesic and antipyretic with minimal anti-inflammatory effect.
• B. Acetaminophen is primarily a strong anti-inflammatory agent with minimal analgesic effect.
• C. NSAIDs are analgesic and anti-inflammatory; risks include GI bleeding and kidney injury.
• D. NSAIDs have no risk of GI bleeding or kidney injury.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how acetaminophen differs from NSAIDs in what it does and what risks it carries. Acetaminophen provides pain relief and lowers fever but has little to no anti-inflammatory action. That’s why it’s best described as analgesic and antipyretic with minimal anti-inflammatory effect when compared to NSAIDs, which do offer anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to analgesia and fever reduction. NSAIDs, however, bring risks such as gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney injury due to their effects on prostaglandins that protect the GI tract and kidneys. The other statements misstate acetaminophen’s anti-inflammatory activity or overstate NSAID safety, so the described combination of analgesic and antipyretic effect with minimal anti-inflammatory action fits best.

The main idea is how acetaminophen differs from NSAIDs in what it does and what risks it carries. Acetaminophen provides pain relief and lowers fever but has little to no anti-inflammatory action. That’s why it’s best described as analgesic and antipyretic with minimal anti-inflammatory effect when compared to NSAIDs, which do offer anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to analgesia and fever reduction. NSAIDs, however, bring risks such as gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney injury due to their effects on prostaglandins that protect the GI tract and kidneys. The other statements misstate acetaminophen’s anti-inflammatory activity or overstate NSAID safety, so the described combination of analgesic and antipyretic effect with minimal anti-inflammatory action fits best.