Question

1. Provide information for the medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol); safe dose, drug class, side effects, patient and family education and nursing considerations. Order is for 270 mg po Q 6 hours; safe dose range is 10 – 15 mg/kg/dose Q 4 – 6 hours (not to exceed 5 dosages/24 hours); Child’s weight is 18 kg

• Identify the correct mg/kg dose range for the child?  
• Is the dose ordered within therapeutic range?            Why or why not?
• Tylenol elixir on hand is 100 mg/1 ml; How many ml. of Tylenol does the nurse administer?

Answer 1

Drug class: Analgesics

Side effects:

• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Increased sweating
• Skin rash
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue.

Patient Education:

• Educate about the side effects and to report to the emergency department.
• Avoid long term use of Tylenol.
• Educate about not to take for long-term.

Nursing Considerations:

• Assess the child for any side effects.
• Recommended dose to be calculated before administration.
• Administer for short-term.

Identify the correct mg/kg dose range for the child?  

The safe dose range of Tylenol in children is 10 - 15 mg/kg q4-6hr.

Is the dose ordered within therapeutic range? Why or why not?

Minimum safe dose Tylenol for children is 10 X 18 = 180mg

Maximum safe dose of Tylenol for children is 15 X 18 = 270mg.

The ordered dose for the child is 270mg PO Q6h. So the drug is within the therapeutic range for the child's weight.

Tylenol elixir on hand is 100 mg/1 ml; How many ml. of Tylenol does the nurse administer?

Amount = Ordered Dose / Dose on hand X Volume

Ordered dose = 270mg

Dose on hand = 100mg

Volume = 1mL

By substituting on the above formula,

Amount = 270/100 X 1

= 2.7mL

The nurse has to administer 2.7 mL of Tylenol.