Question

A 34-year-old woman presents 4 hours after ingesting 30 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg in a deliberate overdose. She is asymptomatic. What is the most important investigation to guide the need for N-acetylcysteine treatment?

Accepted Answer

A timed plasma paracetamol concentration taken at least 4 hours after ingestion

Answer

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level on admission

Answer

Full blood count

Answer

Serum amylase level

Answer

Urine drug screen

Practice question

A 34-year-old woman presents 4 hours after ingesting 30 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg in a deliberate overdose. She is asymptomatic. What is the most important investigation to guide the need for N-acetylcysteine treatment?