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description Monograph

Paracetamol Peril: Managing Acetaminophen Toxicity

Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech

star star star star star_outline 3.7/5 based on 90 ratings
schedule 2.00 Contact Hours (0.20 CEUs)
category Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
local_activity Knowledge

Course Overview

Acetaminophen (APAP) poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States and other countries. Liver damage often occurs after an APAP overdose, but liver failure and death are rare. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a highly effective antidote for an APAP overdose. If a patient with APAP poisoning is treated with the NAC protocol promptly, the patient is almost sure to recover and survive the event. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should know the potential risks associated with this commonly used over-the-counter medication. They should also learn what they can do to minimize APAP overdoses and implement these strategies in their daily practices.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the pharmacologic profile of acetaminophen
  • Explain the pathophysiology of acetaminophen toxicity
  • Describe the approach to the management of acetaminophen toxicity
  • Discuss the role of healthcare professionals in the management and prevention of acetaminophen toxicity

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
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Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.
Jennifer Salvon, RPh
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Jennifer Salvon is a clinical pharmacist and freelance medical writer at Salvon Scientific, based in Massachusetts. During her career, she has practiced in a variety of venues, including the hospital, retail, managed care, teaching, and clinical research settings. As a lifelong learner, Jennifer enjoys researching and writing to educate herself and others.
Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN
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Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN is a licensed Registered Nurse and author currently developing in-service training for healthcare professionals. She is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Coach. Her work experience includes work in several areas of the healthcare profession, including psychiatric nursing, medical nursing, motivational health coaching, chronic case management, dental hygiene, cardiac technician, and surgical technician.

I. Introduction

II. Back to Basics: Acetaminophen Essentials

III. Toxic Threshold: Understanding Acetaminophen Toxicity

IV. Antidotes in Action: Navigating Acetaminophen Toxicity

A. Assessing Acetaminophen Toxicity
B. Managing Acetaminophen Toxicity

V. The Healthcare Team: Essential for Effective APAP Toxicity Management

VI. Summary

From February 28, 2025 through February 28, 2028, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)

Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN, Jennifer Salvon, RPh, Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. L. Austin Fredrickson, Kristina (Tia) Neu, Jennifer Salvon, and Pamela Sardo have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.

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Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

PTCB Recognition

RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".