A nurse is assessing a 12-year-old child who has asthma and states, "I am frustrated about not being able to participate in sports." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. Perform gastric lavage with activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is most effective if given within 1 hour of ingestion. Since the ingestion occurred 4 hours ago, activated charcoal would not be beneficial.
B. Begin hemodialysis within the next 24 hr. Hemodialysis is only used in severe cases of acetaminophen toxicity with liver failure, which is not indicated at this stage.
C. Prepare to give oral N-acetylcysteine. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose and should be administered as soon as possible within 8 to 10 hours after ingestion to prevent liver damage.
D. Send the child home on increased fluid intake. Acetaminophen overdose can cause severe liver toxicity, so treatment in a medical setting is required, not just increased fluids at home.

A. "Apply a light blanket if the child begins to shiver." Shivering can increase body temperature, so a light blanket can provide comfort while preventing excessive heat retention. Over-bundling should be avoided.

B. "Wake the child every 4 hr during the night to drink 118.3 mL (4 oz) of apple juice." Encouraging fluid intake is important, but waking a sleeping child is unnecessary unless there are concerns about dehydration. Instead, fluids should be offered frequently while the child is awake.

C. "Take the child's temperature every 10 min after administering acetaminophen." Checking the temperature this frequently is not necessary and could cause unnecessary stress for the child. Acetaminophen typically takes 30–60 minutes to take effect, so temperature checks should be spaced appropriately.

D. "Place ice packs on the child's armpits and groin." Using ice packs can cause shivering, which increases body temperature. Instead, cooling measures like a lukewarm sponge bath or removing excess clothing are preferred.