Lesson 25 ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

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Combat Life Saver
Lesson 25ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND
PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Compiled and edited by, 2LT John C. Miller, PA-C
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Lesson 25ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND
PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

• INTRODUCTION
• A soldier can have minor medical conditions such
  as minor aches and pains, common cold, headache,
  or sinus allergies which would normally be
  treated with medication available without a
  prescription. Unfortunately, on a battlefield,
  these "common" drugs may not be easily obtained.
  The combat lifesaver aid bag contains a supply of
  acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and
  pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (such as Sudafed)
  tablets which can be administered to soldiers
  until they can obtain their own medication at
  sick call.

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ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

• TASK
• Identify when acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine
  hydrochloride tablets should and should not be
  given, the appropriate dosage, and the effects of
  an overdose.
• CONDITIONS
• Given multiple-choice items pertaining to
  administering acetaminophen tablets and
  pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets.
• STANDARD
• Score 70 or more points on the 100-point written
  examination.

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IDENTIFY WHEN ACETAMINOPHEN SHOULD AND SHOULD
NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Uses of Acetaminophen Tablets
• Use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to treat
  problems such as
• Simple headache.
• Muscular aches and pains.
• Bursitis.
• Neuralgia.
• Sprains.

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IDENTIFY WHEN ACETAMINOPHEN SHOULD AND SHOULD
NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Overexertion.
• Menstrual discomforts.
• Fever.
• Arthritis.
• Rheumatism.
• Ulcer.
• Gastritis.
• Hiatus hernia.

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IDENTIFY WHEN ACETAMINOPHEN SHOULD AND SHOULD
NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Contraindications
• Acetaminophen should not be administered to a
  person with an allergy (sensitivity) to it, and,
  if the allergy appears, the drug should be
  discontinued.
• Acetaminophen should not be administered to a
  pregnant woman or one nursing a baby without the
  advice of a health professional.
• Excessive acetaminophen can be dangerous.

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ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN

• Normal adult dosage
• One or two tablets three or four times daily.
• Up to 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
• Discontinue medication if casualty shows signs of
  overdose.

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RECOGNIZE AND TREAT ACETAMINOPHEN OVERDOSE

• A soldier may carry his own supply of, say,
  Tylenol and accidentally take too many tablets.
• Signs and Symptoms of Acetaminophen Overdose
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Profuse perspiration.
• General malaise.
• Treatment for Acetaminophen Overdose
• Have the casualty vomit, if conscious.
• Evacuate the casualty to a medical treatment
  facility.

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IDENTIFY WHEN PSEUDOEPHEDRINEHYDROCHLORIDE
TABLETS SHOULD ANDSHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Uses of Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets
• Use pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets (such
  as Sudafed) to temporarily relieve the signs and
  symptoms of the common cold (such as nasal
  congestion).
• Some brands of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
  tablets also contain antihistamines used in
  treating allergic reactions to pollen and other
  airborne allergens (hay fever).

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IDENTIFY WHEN PSEUDOEPHEDRINEHYDROCHLORIDE
TABLETS SHOULD ANDSHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Contraindications
• Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets should not
  be administered if the person
• Is allergic to any of the ingredients in the
  tablet.
• Has a high fever.

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IDENTIFY WHEN PSEUDOEPHEDRINEHYDROCHLORIDE
TABLETS SHOULD ANDSHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED

• Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets should not
  be administered to people with the following
  conditions unless a physician has approved
  themedication
• Heart problems.
• Vascular disease.
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Pregnancy.
• Nursing a baby.
• Enlarged prostate gland.
• Taking a hypertensive drug.
• Taking an antidepressant drug.

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ADMINISTERPSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

• Normal adult dosage for pseudoephedrine
  hydrochloride tablets
• Two tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
• No more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.

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RECOGNIZE AND TREATPSEUDOEPHEDRINE
HYDROCHLORIDEOVERDOSE

• Discontinue if signs or symptoms of overdose
  appear, including
• Dizziness.
• Nervousness.
• Sleeplessness.
• High fever.

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RECOGNIZE AND TREATPSEUDOEPHEDRINE
HYDROCHLORIDEOVERDOSE

• Question
• What should you do if signs of pseudoephedrine
  hydrochloride overdose develop?
• Response
• Evacuate the casualty.
• Question
• What should you do if the acetaminophen and
  pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets do not
  control the casualty's signs and symptoms?
• Response
• Have the casualty checked by a medic or report to
  sick call.

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ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

• CLOSING
• Even though acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine
  hydrochloride tablets are not prescription drugs,
  they can still be dangerous. Make sure the
  medication will help rather than harm the soldier
  before you give the medication to the soldier.
  Soldiers who are ill should go to sick call
  whenever possible. The soldier's condition may be
  more serious than it first appears.
• This lesson is tested in the written
  multiple-choice examination.

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Questions