Question

A nurse is preparing to administer vaccines to a 1-year-old child. The parents ask the nurse to give the child acetaminophen before administering the vaccine to reduce the pain. Which response by the nurse is correct?

1) "Children do not remember pain, so it is not necessary to give acetaminophen."
2) "The small needles used to inject the vaccines cause hardly any discomfort."
3) "You can apply a topical anesthetic when you get home to reduce pain from the injection."
4) "Your child's immune response may not be as effective if I give acetaminophen before the vaccine."

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the parents that giving acetaminophen before the vaccine may weaken the child's immune response. Proper dosage is critical if acetaminophen is used thereafter to avoid health risks like liver damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct response by the nurse when parents ask to give acetaminophen before administering a vaccine to reduce pain would be: "Your child's immune response may not be as effective if I give acetaminophen before the vaccine." Research has suggested that certain pain relievers, including acetaminophen, may potentially lessen the immunological response to certain vaccines. It is crucial for nurses and healthcare providers to weigh the potential benefits of pain and fever reduction against the possibility of a slightly reduced immune response to the vaccine.

While children do experience pain and the small needles cause some discomfort, alleviating this discomfort should not compromise the vaccine's efficacy. When it comes to administering medication to infants and children, proper dosage is essential. Parents should be cautious with medications like acetaminophen, ensuring they follow the dosing instructions and use the appropriate formula for their child's age group to avoid overdose and associated risks, such as liver damage.