A 30-year-old woman presents to the emergency department 3 hours after deliberately ingesting 20 x 500 mg paracetamol tablets (10 g). She is currently...

Question

A 30-year-old woman presents to the emergency department 3 hours after deliberately ingesting 20 x 500 mg paracetamol tablets (10 g). She is currently asymptomatic. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Check serum paracetamol level at 4 hours post ingestion and assess against the nomogram

Answer

Discharge as she is asymptomatic

Answer

Give oral activated charcoal only

Answer

Start N-acetylcysteine infusion immediately without any blood tests

Answer

Check liver function tests only

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Paracetamol overdose

A 30-year-old woman presents to the emergency department 3 hours after deliberately ingesting 20 x 500 mg paracetamol tablets (10 g). She is currently asymptomatic. What is the most appropriate next step in management?