A 30-year-old man presents 4 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol in a suicide attempt (total 10 g). He weighs 70 kg and has no known l...

Question

A 30-year-old man presents 4 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol in a suicide attempt (total 10 g). He weighs 70 kg and has no known liver disease. According to UK guidance, what is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Measure Paracetamol level at 4 hours post-ingestion and use the nomogram to decide on N-acetylcysteine

Answer

No action needed as dose is below toxic threshold

Answer

Start N-acetylcysteine immediately without blood tests

Answer

Wait 24 hours and then check liver function tests

Answer

Discharge after psychiatric assessment only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Paracetamol overdose

A 30-year-old man presents 4 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol in a suicide attempt (total 10 g). He weighs 70 kg and has no known liver disease. According to UK guidance, what is the most appropriate management?