The hospitalized client has an order for Tylenol 325 mg 2 tablets every 4 hours prn temperature over 101°F. The client complains of a headache. Can the nurse legally administer Tylenol to treat the headache?
1. Yes, since Tylenol is used both for fever and headache.
2. No, not unless the client also has a temperature over 101°F.
3. Yes, but the nurse should document the reason why the medication was administered as a temperature elevation.
4. Yes, since the medication is available over the counter, an order is not required.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: In the hospital setting, the nurse can only administer medications that are prescribed for the client and can only administer those medications according to the specifics of the prescription. In this case, the medication was ordered for temperature elevation, not pain, so the nurse cannot legally administer the Tylenol to treat the client's headache. The fact that this is an over-the-counter medication and is used both for fever and headache is not pertinent to the nurse's decision. The nurse should never document false information in regard to medication administration.
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