The nurse is caring for a child with a high-grade fever. The child's mother asks if she should give her child aspirin. How should the nurse respond?
Explanation
• Nurses should caution parents not to give aspirin to children with a fever because aspirin is associated with Reye’s syndrome.
• Reye’s syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes acute encephalopathy and fatty liver. The cause is unknown, but it is associated with children taking aspirin for a viral illness.
• An antipyretic should be given to children with a fever. Acetaminophen is an excellent antipyretic, and it is the drug most often prescribed to reduce fever in children.
• Incorrect: Aspirin is not associated with adrenal dysfunction.