Which of the following is an example of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?

Acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin, is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) because it possesses the characteristics typical of NSAIDs, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. Aspirin works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which plays a key role in the synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemical messengers that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. By blocking COX enzymes, aspirin effectively reduces these symptoms.

In contrast, the other options provided fall into different categories of medications. Hydromorphone is an opioid analgesic, primarily used for severe pain relief. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications used primarily for their sedative and anxiolytic effects and are not anti-inflammatory. Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent blood clotting, and while they may have some indirect effects related to inflammation, they do not serve the same purpose as NSAIDs and do not have the same mechanism of action. This clarification helps to underscore why acetylsalicylic acid is the correct example of an NSAID.