\]Your client is a 24-year-old female, who had a hysterectomy seven days ago.

She has a
10cm incision right lower quadrant to left lower quadrant. The incision has been closed
with staples. She has a saline loc in place on her left hand. At present she has pain only
when sitting down. Ms. Underhill is non-compliant with leg exercises. She requires
assistance to ambulate. She is complaining of left sided abdominal pain. The nurses’
notes indicate she has not had a bowel movement in 4 days.

DR’s Orders:
Remove alternating staples today
Tylenol #3, 2 tablets po Q4H PRN
Soft Diet to full diet

Nursing Diagnosis:
1)Acute pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient’s complain of pain when
sitting down.
2)Risk for injury related to altered mobility evidenced by requiring assistance to
ambulate.
3)Constipation related to surgery as evidenced by absence of bowel movement in 4 days
after surgery.

Nursing Intervention:
1)Administer pain medication as ordered.
2)Put the bed on the lowest position, side rails up and call bell within reach when patient
is in bed.
3)Encourage patient to increase fluid intake and walk.

Brand/Trade Name:

Tylenol
Acetaminophen

Drug Classification:

Analgesic

Drug Action/effect:

May block pain impulses peripherally that occurs in response to inhibition or

prostaglandin synthesis; does not possess anti-inflammatory properties; antipyretic action
results from inhibition of prostaglandins in the CNS (hypothalamic heat-regulating
center); decreased pain, fever.

Safe Dosage and route:

• Adult and child > 10 yr. PO 325-650 mg q4h prn, not to exceed 4g/day; REC 325-
650 mg q4h prn, not to exceed 4g/day.

• Administer to patient crushed or whole; chewable tabs may be chewed.

• Give with food or milk to decrease gastric symptoms; give 30 mins. Before or 2
hr after meals, absoption may be slowed.

Side effects/Adverse effects:

• CNS: Stimulation, drowsiness

• GI: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hepatotoxicity
• HEMA: Leukopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia
• INTEG: rash, urticaria, angioedema
• SYST: Anaphylaxis
• TOXICITY: Cyanosis, anemia, jaundice, CNS stimulation, delirium followed by
vascular collapse, convulsions, coma, death

Contraindications:

Hypersensivity, intolerance to tartrazine (yellow dye no. 5), alcohol, table sugar,
saccharin.

Precautions:

Anemia, hepatic disease, renal disease, chronic alcoholism, pregnancy

Nursing considerations/client teaching:

Assessment:

• Monitor liver function studies: AST, ALT bilirubin, creatinine before therapy if
long-term therapy is anticipated.
• Monitor renal function studies: BUN, urine creatinine, occult blood, albumin
indicates nephritis.
• Monitor blood studies: CBC, pro-time if patient is on long-term therapy.
• Check I&O ratio, decreasing output may indicate renal failure
• Assess for fever and pain, type of pain, location, intensity, duration, temperature,
diaphoresis.
 • Assess mucosa, fingernail, beds for cyanosis, inquire about dyspnea, vertigo,
headache, weakness
• Assess for chronic poisoning: rapid, weak pulse, dyspnea, cold clammy
extremities; report immediately.
• Assess hepatotoxicity: dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of skin and
sclera; itching, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea if patient is on long term therapy.
• Assess allergic reaction: rash, urticaria, if these occur, drug may have to be
discontinued.

Pregnancy risk category:

Patient education:

• Teach patient not to exceed recommended dosage, acute poisoning with lever
damage may result; acute toxicity includes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain

• Tell patient to read label on other OTC drugs; many contain acetaminophen and
may cause toxicity if taken concurrently.

• Teach patient to recognize signs of chronic overdose; bleeding, bruising, malaise,

fever, sore throat.

• Inform patient that urine may become dark brown as a result of phenacetin
(metabolite of acetaminophen).

• Tell patient to notify prescriber for pain or fever lasting over 3 days.