Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

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What is a significant risk associated with high doses of acetaminophen?

It can lead to cardiovascular issues
It may cause gastrointestinal bleeding
It is hepatotoxic and can compromise renal function
It can induce psychosis

The correct answer is: It is hepatotoxic and can compromise renal function

High doses of acetaminophen pose a significant risk of hepatotoxicity, which means it can cause damage to the liver. Acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver, and when the dose exceeds the recommended levels, it can overwhelm the liver's ability to process the drug safely. This leads to the accumulation of a toxic metabolite, which can result in severe liver damage or failure. In addition to hepatotoxicity, there is also a risk of compromising renal function, particularly in patients who may already have underlying health issues or in cases of overdose. The liver and kidneys work closely together to process and eliminate substances from the body, so damage to one organ can affect the other. Other potential risks associated with high doses of acetaminophen, such as cardiovascular issues or gastrointestinal bleeding, are either less common or more closely associated with different medications. The risk of inducing psychosis is not a recognized consequence of acetaminophen use, making the risk of hepatotoxicity and its effect on renal function the central concern when it comes to high doses of this medication.