A 22-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department after intentionally ingesting a large quantity of acetaminophen. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
Administer activated charcoal
Administer N-acetylcysteine
Start IV fluids
Perform gastric lavage
Activated charcoal is the most appropriate initial intervention for acetaminophen overdose, especially if administered within 1-2 hours of ingestion. It helps prevent further absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract. While IV fluids, N-acetylcysteine, and gastric lavage may be part of the treatment plan, activated charcoal is typically the first step to mitigate the effects of the overdose. N-acetylcysteine is a crucial antidote but is usually administered after initial stabilization and assessment. IV fluids are supportive but not the primary intervention. Gastric lavage is less commonly used due to potential complications and limited efficacy compared to activated charcoal.
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