For a 15-year-old adolescent who has taken an acetaminophen overdose, which diagnostic study should a nurse monitor?

Monitoring liver function tests is critical in the case of an acetaminophen overdose because acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver, and an overdose can lead to liver damage or failure. Elevated levels of liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), indicate hepatic injury and can help guide treatment decisions. In severe cases, measuring the levels of acetaminophen itself may also help assess the extent of toxicity, but liver function tests are essential for evaluating the impact of the overdose on this vital organ.

Kidney function tests, cholesterol levels, and complete blood counts do not directly assess the damage caused by acetaminophen overdose and would not provide necessary information for managing this specific situation effectively. While kidney function can be affected in cases of overdose and other conditions, liver function tests are the primary focus when dealing with acetaminophen toxicity.