antipyrtic for temperature control

[violaliu]

if a patient is diagnosed with raised temperature 38.2C today and small subdural haematoma 3 days ago, should antipyretic be given to treat the raised temperature as it potentially contributes to ICP?

[/username, BSN, RN]

Can you give acetaminophen?

[violaliu]

I am a nursing student doing an assignment for this. I have read many references that acetaminophen is given for temperature control but I am just confused it is a kind of antipyretic agent which will induce vasodilation. Will it aggravate the increasing ICP the patient is experiencing due to raised temperature?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

What are the mechanism of actions of an antipyretic? How do you think that correlates with ICP?

What research that you have discovered is stating when to use acetaminophen, or not to?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The OP actually is using a thoughtful way to look at this. It's a good question. S/he needs to have a little direction on how to find the answer, though.

OP, look at the interaction between fever and HR & BP, and what that might mean for ICP. Then (and this is important) see if you can find the several websites that describe the exact mechanism of how acetaminophen works to decrease fever. I think you'll find it has nothing to do with vasodilation. :)

[Summer Days]

You may be confusing peripheral vasodilation and cerebral vasodilation. From what I read the mechanism of action of acetaminophen in antipyresis is to block/inhibit the action of prostaglandins in the hypothalamus resulting in peripheral vasodilation (not cerebral vasodilation), leading to sweating and hence heat dissipation. Thus fever decreases and so does ICP.