Question

A 27-year-old woman ingests 30 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg (total 15 g) 2 hours ago in a suicidal gesture. She weighs 60 kg. She presents to the emergency department within 2 hours of ingestion. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Give activated charcoal and arrange paracetamol level at 4 hours post ingestion

Answer

Observe for 8 hours then measure paracetamol level

Answer

Start intravenous N-acetylcysteine immediately without any blood tests

Answer

Discharge as the dose is not toxic

Answer

Induce vomiting and then observe

Practice question

A 27-year-old woman ingests 30 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg (total 15 g) 2 hours ago in a suicidal gesture. She weighs 60 kg. She presents to the emergency department within 2 hours of ingestion. What is the most appropriate immediate management?