Paramedics were called to the home of the Mathews family because their 3-year old daughter, Molly, had gotten into the medicine cabinet and consumed a large number of aspirin tablets. When the paramedics arrived Molly had vomited several times, with bits of undisclosed tablets visible, but seemed sleepy, almost lethargic. She was rushed to the nearest Emergency Room. When she reached the hospital she was unarguable and was breathing rapidly and deeply. She was examined and lab samples were obtained.

Above is the structure of aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, which is a weak acid with a pKa of 3.5. The active, and toxic at high doses, form is the prorogated form.

What percent of the ingested aspirin is in the active form in the stomach (remember that gastric juice has a pH of ~1.5)?

A. 0.01%

B. 1%

C. 50%

D. 99%