A 24-Year-Old Woman Brought to the Emergency Department Says That

question 435

Multiple Choice

A 24-year-old woman brought to the emergency department says that she ingested about twenty 500-mg acetaminophen tablets 2 hours ago after an intense argument with her husband.  She currently has no symptoms.  The patient does not smoke but drinks alcohol on weekends.  She is alert and oriented.  Her temperature is 37.2 C (99 F) , blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg, pulse is 90/min, and respirations are 16/min.  Examination shows no abnormalities.  Complete blood count, coagulation studies (prothrombin time/International Normalized Ratio) , and serum chemistries, including liver functions tests, are within normal limits.  Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this patient?

• A)Administer charcoal and obtain serum acetaminophen levels
• B)Discharge home
• C)Observe in the hospital for 24 hours
• D)Obtain a psychiatry consultation
• E)Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG)
• F)Transfer to liver transplantation facility

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Definitions:

Grief

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Jacobs' Stage Theory

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The existential concept encompassing the events of being alive and the cessation of life.