A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a preschooler who has acetaminophen toxicity. The nurse should expect the provider to prescribe which of the following medications?

Acetaminophen toxicity occurs when excessive doses lead to depletion of glutathione stores in the liver, resulting in accumulation of a toxic metabolite, NAPQI, that causes hepatocellular injury and potentially acute liver failure. Early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent irreversible damage. Management includes gastrointestinal decontamination in some cases and administration of an antidote that restores glutathione levels. Nursing care focuses on timely intervention and monitoring of liver function. Rationale: A. Acetylcysteine is the antidote for acetaminophen toxicity because it replenishes glutathione stores in the liver, allowing detoxification of harmful metabolites. It is most effective when given early but can still provide benefit even after several hours post-ingestion. Administration helps prevent or reduce hepatic damage and is the standard treatment in overdose cases. B. Disulfiram is used in the management of alcohol use disorder by producing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. It has no role in treating acetaminophen toxicity or reversing liver damage. Its mechanism does not address glutathione depletion or hepatotoxic metabolites. C. Deferoxamine is a chelating agent used to treat iron toxicity by binding excess iron and promoting its excretion. It is not effective in acetaminophen poisoning because it does not interact with acetaminophen metabolites or liver injury pathways. Therefore, it is not indicated in this situation. D. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose by displacing opioids from receptor sites in the central nervous system. It has no effect on acetaminophen metabolism or liver toxicity. Its use is limited to opioid-related respiratory depression and not hepatotoxic overdoses.