# 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?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Medication Administration  
> category: PPT

## 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?

## Option

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

**Correct answer: 2**

## 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.

## Related questions

- [An older adult with heart failure is scheduled to receive digoxin. The apical pulse is 54/…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393662&lang=en)
- [An older adult with heart failure is scheduled to receive digoxin. The apical pulse is 54/…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393663&lang=en)
- [A hospitalized client has a blood glucose of 118 mg/dL and is prescribed rapid-acting insu…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393722&lang=en)
- [A client taking lithium reports vomiting, coarse hand tremors, and new confusion. Which ac…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394021&lang=en)
- [A client taking lithium reports vomiting, coarse hand tremors, and new confusion. Which ac…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394022&lang=en)
- [A postoperative client who received IV morphine is difficult to arouse. Respirations are 7…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394070&lang=en)
- [A client uses an albuterol inhaler for wheezing and asks what side effect may occur. Which…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394106&lang=en)
- [The nurse teaches a client about insulin glargine. Which statement by the client indicates…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394115&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394049&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

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