Question

An adult client is admitted to the ED after falling from a ladder. While waiting to have a CT scan, the client requests something for a severe headache. When the nurse offers a prescribed dose of acetaminophen, the pt asks for something stronger. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Answer 1

A nurse should assess the client's pain, follow prescribing guidelines, and educate the client about the risks of liver damage from acetaminophen overdose when they request a stronger pain reliever. Stronger prescriptions, such as hydrocodone with acetaminophen, should only be given under medical supervision to avoid potential risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an adult client in the emergency department with a severe headache following a fall requests something stronger than the prescribed dose of acetaminophen, the nurse should first assess the patient's pain and symptoms to determine the appropriate intervention. Considering that additional medication may be contraindicated due to potential injury or until further examination such as a CT scan to rule out bleeding or other injury is completed, the nurse should educate the patient about the risks of taking higher doses of pain medication, especially the potential for liver damage associated with excessive acetaminophen use. It is crucial to follow medical prescribing guidelines and not provide a stronger analgesic like hydrocodone without a doctor's order. In cases where a stronger pain reliever is necessary, medications such as hydrocodone, which can come in combination with acetaminophen, may be prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain but only under medical supervision. The patient should also be informed about the importance of not combining over-the-counter medications containing acetaminophen with prescription medications to avoid overdose risks.