Question

A nurse is assessing for adverse medication reactions with a client who reports taking more than the recommended doses of acetaminophen for the management of chronic pain. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of acetaminophen?

A) Gastrointestinal bleeding
B) Nephrotoxicity
C) Hepatotoxicity
D) Respiratory depression

Answer 1

Acetaminophen overdose can lead to hepatotoxicity or severe liver damage, which is the adverse effect a nurse should identify in a patient taking more than the recommended doses for chronic pain management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The adverse effect of acetaminophen overdose that a nurse should identify is C) Hepatotoxicity. Although acetaminophen is an effective analgesic and antipyretic, it is important to note that overconsumption can lead to severe liver damage. Unlike NSAIDs such as aspirin, acetaminophen does not typically cause gastrointestinal bleeding or nephrotoxicity, and it does not lead to respiratory depression. Instead, it is known that an acute overdose can produce severe and potentially fatal liver damage, especially in people who consume alcohol regularly.