Oral paracetamol with an uncertain dose history
RN OSCE practice station
Medication administration · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
Check whether the dose is safe, calculate the tablets and explain your decision.
Sofia PapadopoulosI had two tablets with breakfast but I cannot remember what they were.
Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station
Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are the RN in a community nursing service. Sofia Papadopoulos, aged 55, has mild musculoskeletal pain. Her signed prescription is paracetamol 1 g orally now if due; minimum interval four hours, maximum 4 g in 24 hours. Check whether the dose is safe, calculate the tablets and explain your decision. Complete the supplied practice record. You and the patient are in the room; assistance can be called. You have eight minutes; describe and select physical actions in this online exercise.
What this station tests
- Sofia’s 08:00 dose makes 10:00 too early; midday is the earliest under this order.
- Two tablets is correct arithmetic but does not override the dosing interval.
- Check cold-and-flu ingredients for duplicate paracetamol.
- Record withholding rather than an administration signature.
Sources for the clinical content
- TGA: Recommended paracetamol doses
- ACSQHC: Making informed choices (informed consent)
- ACSQHC: Communicating for Safety Standard
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.