A 19-year-old woman presents 5 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol (10 g) in an impulsive overdose. She is well and examination is unr...

Question

A 19-year-old woman presents 5 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol (10 g) in an impulsive overdose. She is well and examination is unremarkable. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Measure a serum Paracetamol level at 4 hours post ingestion and assess against the treatment nomogram

Answer

Reassure as the dose is not significant and discharge

Answer

Start N-acetylcysteine immediately without any blood tests

Answer

Give activated charcoal only

Answer

Admit for observation without blood tests or treatment

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Paracetamol overdose

A 19-year-old woman presents 5 hours after taking 20 tablets of 500 mg Paracetamol (10 g) in an impulsive overdose. She is well and examination is unremarkable. What is the most appropriate next step in management?