A client arrives at the emergency department 2 hours after t… | MyMerci
Medication AdministrationPPT
Question
A client arrives at the emergency department 2 hours after taking a large amount of acetaminophen. The client is awake and reports nausea. Which prescription should the nurse anticipate?
1Give another dose of acetaminophen for headache relief.
2Administer acetylcysteine as prescribed.✓ Correct answer
3Delay treatment until jaundice appears.
4Encourage high-protein meals to protect the liver.
Explanation
Acetaminophen overdose can cause serious liver injury, and acetylcysteine is the antidote when indicated. Treatment should not wait for late signs such as jaundice. Giving more acetaminophen or relying on diet is unsafe.
In-depth explanation
Clinical Judgment Early antidote therapy is time-sensitive in acetaminophen overdose.
Memory Tip Acetaminophen overdose: think acetylcysteine.
Clinical scenario
Clinical Practice Guide Poisoning care prioritizes time of ingestion, dose, serum level timing, and antidote therapy when indicated.
Caution Liver injury can be delayed, so absence of jaundice does not mean the client is safe.
Key concepts
Acetaminophen — An analgesic and antipyretic that can cause hepatotoxicity in overdose.
Acetylcysteine — An antidote used to reduce liver injury after acetaminophen overdose.
Hepatotoxicity — Medication or toxin-related liver injury.