Scenario: Administering Paracetamol To Reduce A Fever

Guidelines for administration of paracetamol

Families must provide their own paracetamol for use as directed by a medical practitioner. Paracetamol will be kept in the locked medication container for emergency purposes should authorised collectors not be contactable.

To safeguard against the over use of paracetamol, and minimise the risk of masking the underlying reasons for high temperatures, educators will only administer paracetamol if it is accompanied by a doctor’s letter stating the reason for administering, the dosage and duration it is to be administered for. If a child presents with a fever at the education and care service, the family will be notified immediately and asked to organise collection of the child as soon as possible.

The family will be encouraged to visit a doctor to find the cause of the temperature.

While waiting for the child to be collected, educators will implement the following procedures to reduce the child’s fever and discomfort:

• Remove excess clothing to cool the child down
• Offer fluids to the child
• Encourage the child to rest
• Provide a cool, damp cloth for the child’s forehead
• Monitor the child for any additional symptoms
• Maintain supervision of the unwell child at all times, while keeping them separated from children who are well.