Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a client who has a fever.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
This is wrong because acetaminophen does not affect blood pressure significantly, and checking the client’s blood pressure is not a priority action when administering acetaminophen for fever.
The nurse should focus on other vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Normal ranges for liver function tests are:
• AST: 10 to 40 U/L
• ALT: 7 to 56 U/L
• ALP: 45 to 115 U/L
• Bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL
This is correct because acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver and can cause liver injury in the case of overdose or in patients with compromised liver function. Therefore, the nurse should check the client’s baseline liver function tests and monitor them for any signs of hepatotoxicity, such as elevated liver enzymes.
This is correct because acetaminophen is a high-alert medication that requires a second nurse to verify the dosage calculation prior to administration. This is to ensure client safety and prevent medication errors, such as giving too much or too little of the drug.
This is correct because acetaminophen can cause allergic reactions in some people, such as rash, itching, swelling, or anaphylaxis.
Therefore, the nurse should ask the client about any history of allergies to acetaminophen or other medications before giving the drug.
This is correct because acetaminophen is used to reduce fever, and the nurse should monitor the client’s temperature to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug and adjust the dosage accordingly.
• Choice B: Assess the client’s liver function tests. This is correct because acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver and can cause liver injury in the case of overdose or in patients with compromised liver function. Therefore, the nurse should check the client’s baseline liver function tests and monitor them for any signs of hepatotoxicity, such as elevated liver enzymes.
• Choice C: Verify the dosage with another nurse. This is correct because acetaminophen is a high-alert medication that requires a second nurse to verify the dosage calculation prior to administration.
This is to ensure client safety and prevent medication errors, such as giving too much or too little of the drug.
• Choice D: Ask the client about any allergies. This is correct because acetaminophen can cause allergic reactions in some people, such as rash, itching, swelling, or anaphylaxis.
Therefore, the nurse should ask the client about any history of allergies to acetaminophen or other medications before giving the drug.
• Choice E: Monitor the client’s temperature. This is correct because acetaminophen is used to reduce fever, and the nurse should monitor the client’s temperature to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug and adjust the dosage accordingly.
• Choice A: Check the client’s blood pressure. This is wrong because acetaminophen does not affect blood pressure significantly, and checking the client’s blood pressure is not a priority action when administering acetaminophen for fever.
The nurse should focus on other vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Normal ranges for liver function tests are:
• AST: 10 to 40 U/L
• ALT: 7 to 56 U/L
• ALP: 45 to 115 U/L
• Bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL