American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ANCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The recommendation for using aspirin as the antithrombotic management for a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and no major risk factors is grounded in clinical guidelines which suggest that aspirin is appropriate for individuals who are deemed to be at low risk for stroke. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation indicates that the atrial fibrillation episodes occur intermittently rather than being persistent, and when patients do not present with additional stroke risk factors—such as prior stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or the presence of significant comorbidities—anticoagulation may not be necessary.

In such cases, aspirin serves as an antiplatelet therapy that aims to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events without the potential complications associated with more potent anticoagulants, which are generally reserved for those with higher risk profiles.

Other options would not be the preferred choice for a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and no major risk factors. For example, warfarin is indicated for individuals with a high risk of stroke due to its effectiveness in known cases such as persistent atrial fibrillation or patients with previous stroke history. Clopidogrel could serve as an alternative antiplatelet agent but lacks the specific