Question

A 22-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 3 hours after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen in a suicide attempt. He is alert and asymptomatic. Serum acetaminophen level is 260 µmol/L at 3 hours post-ingestion. According to standard management, what is the best next step?

Accepted Answer

Wait until 4 hours post-ingestion to repeat the level and base treatment on the 4-hour value

Answer

Discharge the patient as he is asymptomatic

Answer

Start N-acetylcysteine immediately without further testing

Answer

Induce emesis with ipecacuanha

Answer

Administer activated charcoal only

Practice question

A 22-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 3 hours after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen in a suicide attempt. He is alert and asymptomatic. Serum acetaminophen level is 260 µmol/L at 3 hours post-ingestion. According to standard management, what is the best next step?