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?

1 Give another dose of acetaminophen for headache relief.
2 Delay treatment until jaundice appears.
3 Encourage high-protein meals to protect the liver.
4 Administer acetylcysteine as prescribed. ✓ Correct answer

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.

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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.

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For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols.

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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?

In-depth explanation

Clinical scenario

Key concepts

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