What it means
Short for N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, the chemical name of acetaminophenuh-see-tuh-MIN-uh-fenA drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.Full entry (Tylenol). It appears on prescriptions and on labels of combination products, such as hydrocodone/APAP. ISMP lists it as error-prone because many people do not know it means acetaminophen, which can lead to taking two products with acetaminophen and an overdose.
For the nurse
Write "acetaminophen" in full. Add up the acetaminophen from every product the client takes, including combination pain pills and cold remedies, and keep within the daily maximum the provider sets.
Related terms
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
acetaminophen
A drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.