The hospitalized client has an order for Tylenol 325 mg 2 tablets ...

[erika]

The hospitalized client has an order for Tylenol 325 mg 2 tablets every 4 hours prn temperature over 101F. The client complains of a headache. Can the nurse legally administer Tylenol to treat the headache?
 
  1. Yes, since Tylenol is used both for fever and headache.
  2. No, not unless the client also has a temperature over 101F.
  3. Yes, but the nurse should document the reason why the medication was administered as a temperature elevation.
  4. Yes, since the medication is available over the counter, an order is not required.

Question 2

The nurse identifies that the ordered dose for a medication is twice the amount generally administered. What action should the nurse take?
 
  1. Administer the medication as it was ordered.
  2. Check to see if previous shift nurses gave the medication.
  3. Collaborate with the prescriber about the order.
  4. Administer only the standard dose of the medication.

[bassamabas]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: In the hospital setting, the nurse can only administer medications that are prescribed for the client and can only administer those medications according to the specifics of the prescription. In this case, the medication was ordered for temperature elevation, not pain, so the nurse cannot legally administer the Tylenol to treat the client's headache. The fact that this is an over-the-counter medication and is used both for fever and headache is not pertinent to the nurse's decision. The nurse should never document false information in regard to medication administration.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: When the nurse has doubts about the correctness of a medication or medication dose for a specific client, collaboration with the prescriber is necessary. The nurse is legally and ethically responsible for all actions taken, including medication administration. The fact that previous nurses gave the medication as ordered does not make it the correct action. The nurse cannot change the amount of medication to give without collaborating with the prescriber. Administering the dose as ordered may harm the client.

[erika]

Excellent

[softEldritch]

TYSM