Aspirin binds to COX-2, a protein that produces prostaglandins, inhibiting their function. Prostaglandins are normally released from damaged tissues at the site of Dave's sprained ankle, stimulating nerve endings to produce the sensation of pain (Martini, p. 46). Aspirin is also known as an anticoagulant because it inhibits the production of prostaglandins which also form platelets, used for blood clotting. This is why people who are prone to heart attacks take aspirin, to reduce the chance of blood clots forming. (Hoffman, 2011) B. Fainting1. Why did Suzie faint when she left the table? Explain the specific changes in her CVS that caused her to faint. There are a few reasons that contributed to Suzie's fainting. Skeletal muscle helps push blood through veins toward the heart. Suzie has low blood pressure mainly because she is starving. Without nutrients from the small intestine, the body is forced to use stored fats and proteins. The cold kitchen environment lowered his blood pressure even further. As a homeostatic mechanism, blood vessels constrict to keep Suzie and vital organs warm. The lack of oxygen to the brain caused Suzie to faint and temporarily lose consciousness (Martini, p. 722). Another reason Suzie fainted is her prolonged QT interval, which details the ventricular depolarization/repolarization time of her heart by the Purkinje fibers. Third, Suzie's development of anemia contributed to her fainting because there were likely not enough healthy red blood cells to supply oxygen to the brain. When Suzie collapsed, she lay in a horizontal position increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. (Martini, p. 722) C. Ectopic Hear...... half of paper ......als.org/content/94/6/2129.full · Hoffman, Lucas, MD, PhD. “Aspirin 101” 2011. http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/aspirin3.htm· Lacroix, Pierre. An overview of QT interval assessment in safety pharmacology. Figure 10.7.1. Current protocols in pharmacology. July 2006 · Martini, Frederic C. Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. 7th edition. Pearson. · National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. “Explore Long QT Syndrome.” September 2011. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/qt/ · Pritts, Sarah D., MD. University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. Diagnosis of eating disorders in primary care. January 15, 2003. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0115/p297.html · Yanowitz, Frank G., MD. The ECG Learning Center at the Alan E. Lindsay Center. The University of Utah School of Medicine. 2006 http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/ecg_outline/Lesson12/index.html