A 17-year-old girl presents 3 hours after intentionally ingesting 40 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen (total 20 g). She is well-appearing and has no ab...

Question

A 17-year-old girl presents 3 hours after intentionally ingesting 40 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen (total 20 g). She is well-appearing and has no abdominal pain. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Draw a serum acetaminophen level at 4 hours post-ingestion and start N-acetylcysteine if the level plots above the treatment line on the nomogram

Answer

Reassure and discharge because she is asymptomatic

Answer

Wait 24 hours before checking any levels

Answer

Administer charcoal only and no antidote

Answer

Delay treatment until liver enzymes rise

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Acetaminophen overdose

A 17-year-old girl presents 3 hours after intentionally ingesting 40 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen (total 20 g). She is well-appearing and has no abdominal pain. What is the most appropriate next step?