ADMINISTER ACETAMINOPHEN AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS

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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.

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.

Uses of Acetaminophen Tablets

Use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol�) to treat problems such as:

Simple headache.

Muscular aches and pains.

Bursitis.

Neuralgia.

Sprains.

Overexertion.

Menstrual discomforts.

Fever.

Arthritis.

Rheumatism.

Ulcer.

Gastritis.

Hiatus hernia.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Discontinue if signs or symptoms of overdose appear, including:

Dizziness.

Nervousness.

Sleeplessness.

High fever.

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.

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.