An adolescent patient is admitted after ingesting 20 500-mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets as a suicide attempt. The patient is currently nauseated, vomiting, and diaphoretic with a BP of 96/52 What should be the priority in this patient's care?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. The predicted risk of toxicity from a single acute overdose relies on the time of ingestion and serum acetaminophen level. Whether a level is toxic or nontoxic can only be interpreted when the time of ingestion is accurately accounted for. The Rumack-Matthew nomogram can be used to predict hepatic toxicity between 4 and 24 hours after an acute ingestion.
2. These symptoms are side effects of intravenous administration of N-acetylcysteine NAC (Mucomyst).
3. This medication is administered after the initial acetaminophen level is drawn. It must be administered between 4 and 24 hours after acetaminophen.
4. This will depend upon the patient's status.

An Adolescent Patient Is Admitted After Ingesting 20 500-Mg Acetaminophen