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A 6-year old male presents to the ER with lethargy via EMS after his parents found him in his room next to her empty pill bottle of twelve hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5/325mg). Mom notes she last saw him 40 minutes ago playing downstairs but was in the room doing laundry. He has no past medical history and takes no medications. His vital signs upon arrival show an oral temperature of 98.2 F, Blood pressure 90/50, heart rate 79 beats/min, respiratory rate of 10/min, O2 saturation of 99% on a room air, finger stick glucose of 103 mg/dL. Physical exam shows him to be awake but sleepy, pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin. His lungs are clear, heart sounds are normal, and the rest of his exam is unremarkable. What is the next best step in management?

Answer :

Final answer:

A child ingesting large amounts of hydrocodone/acetaminophen should be treated promptly with an opioid antagonist, Naloxone, while maintaining support of vital signs. Meanwhile, measures should be taken to counteract the acetaminophen overdose, potentially using NAC. It's also crucial to monitor for signs of acute liver failure.

Explanation:

The patient in this scenario is presenting symptoms consistent with acetaminophen (a common pain reliever) and hydrocodone (a powerful opioid) overdose, including lethargy, drowsiness, and pinpoint pupils. Given the severity of this condition, immediate medical management should be initiated without delay.

The next best management step in this scenario would be to administer Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, while maintaining support of vital signs and functions. Naloxone will target the hydrocodone component of the overdose by reversing the opioid effects. However, alongside, steps must be taken to manage the potential acetaminophen overdose, which might involve administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antidote for acetaminophen.

Simultaneously, it will be crucial to start intravenous fluids, provide symptomatic relief, and monitor for signs of acute liver failure, a significant concern when dealing with large acetaminophen ingestion.

Learn more about Acetaminophen and hydrocodone overdose here:

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