Paracetamol

Question 1

Drug code for Paracetamol?

Answer 1

PAR

Question 2

Types of presentation of Paracetamol?

Answer 2

Both oral and intravenous preparations are available

Question 3

Presentation of Paracetamol solutions/suspensions?

Answer 3

Infant Paracetamol suspension (120 milligrams in 5ml)

Paracetamol 6 plus suspension (250 milligrams in 5ml)

Question 4

Between what ages can Infant Paracetamol suspension given?

Answer 4

3 months to 5 years

Question 5

At what age can Paracetamol 6 plus suspension given?

Answer 5

used from 6 years of age upwards

Question 6

Presentation of Paracetamol tablets?

Answer 6

500 milligram tablets

tablets may be broken in half

Question 7

Presentation of intravenous Paracetamol?

Answer 7

Bottle containing Paracetamol 1 gram in 100ml (10mg/ml) for intravenous infusion
Bottle containing Paracetamol 500 milligrams in 50ml (10mg/ml) for intravenous infusion

Question 8

What is the criteria for Paracetamol 1 gram in 100ml (10mg/ml) for intravenous infusion administration?

Answer 8

adults, adolescents and children weighing more than 33kg

Question 9

What is the criteria for Paracetamol 500 milligrams in 50ml (10mg/ml) for intravenous infusion administration?

Answer 9

term newborn, infants, toddlers and children weighing less than 33kg

Question 10

Indications for use of Oral Paracetamol?

Answer 10

Relief of mild to moderate pain or high temperature with discomfort (not for high temperature alone)

Question 11

Indications for use of intravenous Paracetamol?

Answer 11

As part of a balanced analgesic regimen for severe pain paracetamol is effective in reducing opioid requirements while improving analgesic efficacy and is an alternative analgesic when morphine is contra-indicated

Question 12

Actions of Paracetamol?

Answer 12

Analgesic and antipyretic drug

Relieves pain and reduces temperature

Question 13

What is meant when a drug is said to be analgesic?

Answer 13

Pain relieving

Question 14

What is meant when a drug is said to be antipyretic?

Answer 14

Temperature reducing

Question 15

Contra-indications of Paracetamol?

Answer 15

Known paracetamol allergy
Do not give Paracetamol if a a Paracetamol-containing product has already been given within the last 4 hours or 6 hours in patients with renal impairment or if the maximum cumulative daily dose has already been given

Question 16

Common examples of Paracetamol-containing drugs?

Answer 16

Calpol

Co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol)

Question 17

Cautions for use of Paracetamol?

Answer 17

Take care when administering Paracetamol injection to avoid dosing errors due to confusion between milligram (mg) and millilitre (mL), this could result in an accidental overdose and potentially death
Before administering check when Paracetamol was last administered and calculate the cumulative Paracetamol dose already given over the last 24 hours
Intravenous preparations of Paracetamol come in differing sizes, due to the small amounts that are recommended for patients weighing less than 50kg, extreme vigilance is needed

Question 18

Side effects of Paracetamol?

Answer 18

Side effects are extremely rare; occasionally intravenous Paracetamol may cause hypotension if administered too rapidly

Question 19

What is meant by the term febrile?

Answer 19

having or showing the symptoms of a fever

Question 20

For what patients is Paracetamol not recommend for

Answer 20

Patients with cardiac chest pain

Question 21

What additional precautions must be taken when administering Paracetamol injection?

Answer 21

If a glass container is used it should be remembered that close monitoring is needed at the end of the infusion to avoid air embolism

Question 22

A febrile child should always be conveyed to hospital except where…

Answer 22

A full assessment has been carried out
and
The child has no apparent serious underlying illness
and
The child has a defined clinical pathway for reassessment and follow up, with the full consent of the parent (or carer)