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)

The nurse should use oral liquid acetaminophen to administer the drug to a child who has a fever caused by immunization.This is because oral liquid is easier to swallow and measure for children than oral tablets or capsules.Oral liquid acetaminophen also has a faster onset of action than rectal suppositories.

Choice A is wrong because oral tablets are not suitable for children who may have difficulty swallowing pills.Crushing the tablets may alter the drug’s effectiveness or cause adverse effects.

Choice C is wrong because rectal suppositories are not the preferred route of administration for acetaminophen in children.Rectal suppositories may cause irritation, leakage, or expulsion of the drug.They also have a slower onset of action and variable absorption than oral liquid.

Choice D is wrong because intravenous injection is not an over-the-counter form of acetaminophen.Intravenous injection is a prescription form that is used for severe pain or fever in hospitalized patients.It also requires special equipment and monitoring that are not available at home.

The correct answers are: B) Assess the client’s liver function tests, D) Ask the client about any allergies, and E) Monitor the client’s temperature.

Choice A rationale:

Checking the client’s blood pressure is not a standard action specifically related to administering acetaminophen. While monitoring vital signs is important, blood pressure is not directly affected by acetaminophen.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the client’s liver function tests is crucial because acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver. High doses or prolonged use can lead to hepatotoxicity, so it’s important to ensure the liver is functioning properly.

Choice C rationale:

Verifying the dosage with another nurse is typically required for high-risk medications, such as insulin or anticoagulants, but not for acetaminophen. However, it is always good practice to double-check dosages independently.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the client about any allergies is essential before administering any medication, including acetaminophen, to prevent allergic reactions.

Choice E rationale:

Monitoring the client’s temperature is important to evaluate the effectiveness of acetaminophen in reducing fever. This helps in assessing whether the medication is achieving its intended therapeutic effect.