A 25-year-old woman presents 4 hours after ingesting 20 g of paracetamol in a deliberate overdose. She weighs 60 kg and has no significant medical his...

Question

A 25-year-old woman presents 4 hours after ingesting 20 g of paracetamol in a deliberate overdose. She weighs 60 kg and has no significant medical history. According to Australian paracetamol poisoning guidelines, what is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Measure serum paracetamol concentration at 4 hours post-ingestion and commence acetylcysteine if above the nomogram treatment line

Answer

Discharge because the ingested dose is below the toxic threshold

Answer

Immediately commence acetylcysteine in all patients without testing

Answer

Give activated charcoal only

Answer

Observe for 24 hours without investigations

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Paracetamol overdose management

A 25-year-old woman presents 4 hours after ingesting 20 g of paracetamol in a deliberate overdose. She weighs 60 kg and has no significant medical history. According to Australian paracetamol poisoning guidelines, what is the most appropriate management?