Question

A home care nurse is visiting an 88 year old man, who is taking acetaminophen for arthritic pain in his knee. Which of the following patient teaching statements is most appropriate to implement?

a. Acetaminophen will only relieve pain but not the inflammation from arthritis
b. Acetaminophen is appropriate for the treatment of inflammation from arthritis
c. Your primary heath care provider should consider a prescription for acetaminophen/hydrocodone
d. The acetaminophen should be administered on an empty stomach

Answer 1

The correct statement for an 88-year-old taking acetaminophen is that it will relieve pain but not inflammation from arthritis. Acetaminophen has minor anti-inflammatory effects and should be used as recommended to prevent liver damage. It does not need to be taken on an empty stomach.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate patient teaching statement for an 88-year-old man taking acetaminophen for arthritic knee pain is: "Acetaminophen will only relieve pain but not the inflammation from arthritis."

While acetaminophen is an effective analgesic and antipyretic, it provides only minor anti-inflammatory effects, making it less suitable for conditions where inflammation is a major component. NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, may be more appropriate for treating inflammation.

It is also important to note that overuse or taking higher doses of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, so it must be used according to prescribed recommendations. Furthermore, combining acetaminophen with hydrocodone should be considered cautiously, as this is typically reserved for moderate to severely painful conditions and carries a risk of addiction.

The administration of acetaminophen on an empty stomach is not necessary; it can be taken with or without food.