Final answer:
The PN should inform the spouse that providing medications to anyone other than the patient is not permitted and recommend contacting their healthcare provider for a prescription or suggest purchasing acetaminophen from a pharmacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spouse of a hospitalized client is asking for acetaminophen for a tension headache. The appropriate action for the PN (Practical Nurse) to take is to inform the spouse that providing medications to anyone other than the patient is outside the scope of nursing practice and against hospital policy. It is also important for the PN to educate the spouse about the potential risks of acetaminophen use, such as liver damage if taken in excessive amounts or when combined with alcohol consumption. The PN should suggest that the spouse contact their healthcare provider for a personal prescription or purchase over-the-counter acetaminophen from a pharmacy if they are in need of headache relief.
Additionally, it is important to understand the properties of acetaminophen, such as its molecular mass, which is calculated based on its chemical formula, C8H9NO2, resulting in a molecular mass of 151.16 amu. This information may be relevant in a medical setting where dosages and medication interactions are considered.