Emergencies: paracetamol poisoning: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pediatrics · Emergencies: paracetamol poisoning

Sample item

A 3-year-old ingested a large quantity of paracetamol 5 hours ago. Which is the specific antidote?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. N-acetylcysteine

Paracetamol toxicity results from the toxic metabolite NAPQI that depletes glutathione and causes hepatic necrosis. N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione and is most effective within 8 to 10 hours of ingestion. Treatment decisions are guided by the Rumack-Matthew nomogram.

Option by option

  • A. Flumazenil

    Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines.

  • B. Atropine

    Atropine treats organophosphate poisoning.

  • C. N-acetylcysteine (correct)

    Correct. N-acetylcysteine is the antidote.

  • D. Naloxone

    Naloxone reverses opioids.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, N-acetylcysteine. Paracetamol toxicity results from the toxic metabolite NAPQI that depletes glutathione and causes hepatic necrosis.

Why is "Flumazenil" not the answer?

Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine treats organophosphate poisoning.

Why is "Naloxone" not the answer?

Naloxone reverses opioids.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Emergencies: paracetamol poisoning in Pediatrics. N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione and is most effective within 8 to 10 hours of ingestion. Treatment decisions are guided by the Rumack-Matthew nomogram.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Emergencies: paracetamol poisoning?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.