15. A parent of a child who ingested a toxic dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) refuses to allow a nurse to administer N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) because "it smells spoiled." A nurse should correctly:
15. A parent of a child who ingested a toxic dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) refuses to allow a nurse to administer N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) because "it smells spoiled." A nurse should correctly:
. Withhold the dose.
. Request that another dose be sent to the pediatric unit by the pharmacy.
. Discard the dose and prepare another dose.
. Discuss the medication with the parents.
Test-Taking Tip
Since there are a limited number of antidotes for poisons/overdosages, the parents' involvement is important to ensure that this antidote will be given.
Content Area: Child Health, Poisoning; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Psychosocial Integrity/Behavioral Interventions
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Answer 1 is incorrect because a total of 1 loading dose followed by 17 maintenance doses of N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) must be given in order for the medication to be effective. Withholding the medication will not accomplish this goal. Answer 2 is incorrect because another dose of N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) will have the same odor. Answer 3 is incorrect because discarding the dose and preparing another dose will not change the odor of N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst). Answer 4 is correct because N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) has an offensive odor (e.g., "rotten eggs"), but this is a normal side effect of the medication and does not interfere with the medication's efficacy. The parents should be informed of these characteristics and encouraged to allow the nurse to administer the medication to the child.