Paracetamol to treat fever: what nurses need to consider

When to give paracetamol to patients, why and how often can a be complex consideration. Nurses need to look beyond lowering the patient’s temperature and consider the underlying cause of high temperature, as simply reducing fever without addressing the cause could mask symptoms of serious infection and potentially delay appropriate treatment. It should not be given to reduce NEWS2 scores. The decision requires assessment of the overall clinical presentation, including pain, wound condition and patient history.