A 19-year-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen 3 hours ago in a suicide attempt. H...

Question

A 19-year-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen 3 hours ago in a suicide attempt. He is currently asymptomatic. Which is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Measure serum acetaminophen level at 4 hours post-ingestion and interpret with a nomogram

Answer

Discharge home because he is asymptomatic

Answer

Begin N-acetylcysteine immediately without any laboratory tests

Answer

Wait 24 hours then check liver enzymes

Answer

Treat with activated charcoal only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Acetaminophen overdose - risk assessment

A 19-year-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen 3 hours ago in a suicide attempt. He is currently asymptomatic. Which is the most appropriate next step in management?