🩺 Nursing Question of the Day

Challenge yourself with one exam-style nursing question every day.

✅ Think carefully • ✅ Choose your answer • ✅ Then scroll down to check the explanation.

💊 Acetaminophen Poisoning – Antidote

✅ Answer: (B) N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

📖 What is Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen (also called Paracetamol) is a commonly used medicine for:

• ✔ Fever reduction (antipyretic)
• ✔ Pain relief (analgesic)

👉 In overdose, acetaminophen is converted into a toxic metabolite called NAPQI (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine), which can cause severe liver damage.

🩺 Why is Option (B) Correct?

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the specific antidote for acetaminophen poisoning.

It works by:

• ✔ Replenishing glutathione stores
• ✔ Detoxifying the harmful metabolite (NAPQI)
• ✔ Preventing or reducing liver injury

👉 NAC is most effective when started within 8 hours of overdose, but it may still provide benefit if given later.

❌ Why Other Options Are Wrong?

(A) Atropine
❌ Antidote for organophosphate poisoning and used to treat symptomatic bradycardia—not acetaminophen overdose.

(C) Flumazenil
❌ Reverses the effects of benzodiazepines.

(D) Naloxone
❌ Reverses opioid overdose (e.g., morphine, heroin).

📝 Common Poisonings and Their Antidotes

📌 Exam Tip: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) poisoning. It is most effective when administered within 8 hours of ingestion and helps prevent acute liver failure by restoring glutathione levels.