Medication Update Quiz

Acetaminophen

Drug Class

• Non-opioid analgesic
• Antipyretic

Mechanism of Action

• Acts centrally in the CNS
• Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis (COX pathway in brain)
• Lowers pain perception and reduces fever
• Minimal anti-inflammatory or platelet effect

Uses

• Mild to moderate pain (e.g., headache, musculoskeletal pain)
• Fever reduction
• Multimodal pain control (combine with opioids)

Contraindications / Precautions

• Severe hepatic impairment or active liver disease
• Known hypersensitivity
• Chronic alcohol use (increased hepatotoxicity risk)
• Setting of shock or overdose (especially suspected Acetaminophen)

Typical Dosing

• Adults:
  • Pain Management and/or Fever: up to 1000 mg PO or 1000 mg IV over 15 minutes
• Pediatric:
  • Pain Management: 15 mg/kg PO (325 mg / 10.15 mL concentration) or 12.5 mg/kg IV over 15 minutes

Morphine

Drug Class

• Opioid analgesic

Mechanism of Action

• Binds to μ-opioid receptors in CNS and spinal cord
• Alters pain perception and response to pain
• Produces analgesia, sedation, and dose-dependent respiratory depression

Uses

• Moderate to severe acute pain

Contraindications / Precautions

• Respiratory depression or severe respiratory compromise
• Hypotension or shock
• Fentanyl should be considered if there is an allergy to Morphine or potential hemodynamic instability
• Morphine often produces a normal localized histamine reaction which manifests as urticaria (hives) immediately surrounding the IV site, and is not considered a sign of allergy.

Typical Dosing

• Adults:
  • 0.05 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mg/kg IM.
    • May be repeated after 10 minutes; maximum total dose of 10 mg
• Pediatrics:
  • 0.05 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mg/kg IM
    • May be repeated after 10 minutes; maximum total dose of 10 mg

NYS Collaborative Protocol v25.1