Which outcome indicates that acetaminophen has had a therapeutic effect?

When considering the therapeutic effects of acetaminophen, a decrease in pain signifies its effectiveness. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is widely used as an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). The primary purpose of administering acetaminophen is to alleviate pain and reduce fever. Therefore, a noticeable reduction in pain levels directly reflects the successful action of the medication.

Other outcomes, such as increased temperature, increased discomfort, or more frequent headaches, would not indicate the therapeutic effectiveness of acetaminophen. An increase in temperature could suggest that the medication is not working effectively to reduce fever. Increased discomfort or more frequent headaches show worsening of the patient's condition, which would indicate a lack of positive response to the treatment. Thus, a decrease in pain is the outcome that confirms acetaminophen's therapeutic effect.