The nurse is caring for a patient who took 60 acetaminophen tablets. Which resource will the nurse contact for treatment guidelines when the patient arrives in the emergency room?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is a federal agency that supports research and improvement of health care quality and safety, but it does not provide treatment guidelines for acetaminophen overdose.

Choice B reason: This is correct. The American Association of Poison Control Centers is a national organization that provides poison information and treatment recommendations through a network of poison centers. The nurse can call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 to get expert advice on how to manage the patient who took 60 acetaminophen tablets.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a federal agency that monitors and prevents diseases and public health threats, but it does not provide treatment guidelines for acetaminophen overdose.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices is a nonprofit organization that promotes safe medication practices and error prevention, but it does not provide treatment guidelines for acetaminophen overdose.

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because the patient’s lung sounds are diminished bilaterally with expiratory wheezes is an example of objective data. Objective data is observable and measurable information that can be verified by the nurse or other health care professionals. The nurse can use a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s lung sounds and document the findings.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient worries that the insurance company will not pay the hospital bill is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s worry, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient wonders if supplemental oxygen at home would be beneficial is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s wonder, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient felt less short of breath after receiving a nebulizer treatment is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s feeling, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.