Question

A 35-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after ingesting a large amount of acetylsalicylic acid in a suicide attempt. He is tachypnoeic, nauseated, and has tinnitus. According to toxicology guidance, which initial management step is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Administer activated charcoal if within appropriate time window and start intravenous fluids and alkalinisation of serum and urine with sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Give naloxone immediately

Answer

Start heparin infusion to prevent thrombosis

Answer

Wait for salicylate level before any treatment

Answer

Discharge once symptoms improve without investigation

Practice question

A 35-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after ingesting a large amount of acetylsalicylic acid in a suicide attempt. He is tachypnoeic, nauseated, and has tinnitus. According to toxicology guidance, which initial management step is most appropriate?