โ† Back
Scenario โ€” Suspected paracetamol overdose at a community festival
Patient Information
Dispatch
You are called to a patient (Sarah Nguyen, 35YO female) who has been found by her friend sitting on the ground behind the main stage at the Fremantle Summer Festival, unresponsive to her friend's voice. Friend reports Sarah has been 'acting strange' and they found an empty blister pack of Panadol next to her.
Incident History
Pt found seated on ground behind main stage. Friend states Sarah was upset earlier in the day following an argument with her partner. Found approximately 20 minutes ago. Empty blister pack of Panadol 500mg (16 tablets) found next to patient. Unknown if any alcohol has been consumed. Friend unsure exactly when tablets were taken.
Emergency Contact
Michael Nguyen (Husband) 0412 338 774
Response
Voice
Airway
Patent. No visible obstruction. No stridor. No vomiting or secretions noted at this time.
Breathing
Breathing present and self-maintaining. Rate slightly slow. No accessory muscle use. No wheeze or stridor.
Circulation
Radial pulse present, regular, normal strength. Skin warm and dry. No external haemorrhage.
Disability
GCS 13 (E3V4M6). Oriented to person only. Confused, slow to respond. Denies pain when asked. Pupils equal and reactive to light.
Exposure
No rashes, no urticaria. No visible trauma. Empty Panadol 500mg blister pack (16-count) on ground beside patient. Mild nausea reported by patient.
Vitals
Time SpO2 Resp Dist RR Pulse BP CRT GCS PERL Temp BGL Pain
Initial 97% (RA) Nil 13 88 108/70 <2s 13 4 4 ++ 36.8 4.8 mmol/L 2
10 mins 98% (O2 NRB 10L/min) Nil 14 86 110/72 <2s 13 4 4 ++ 36.8 4.8 mmol/L 2
History Taking
Signs/Symptoms
Confusion, nausea, mild abdominal discomfort. Slow to respond. Denies vomiting at this stage.
Onset
Friend states Sarah was acting strangely approximately 30โ€“40 minutes ago. Exact time of ingestion unknown โ€” estimated within the last 1โ€“2 hours based on when friend last saw her well.
Pain
Mild epigastric discomfort, 2/10. No chest pain. No headache.
Quality
Dull, diffuse abdominal discomfort.
Radiates
Nil
Severity
2/10
Allergies
NKDA
Medications
Oral contraceptive pill. No regular paracetamol use. No other regular medications reported.
Pertinent History
Friend reports Sarah has been under significant stress recently. Had an argument with her partner earlier today. No known history of mental health conditions reported by friend. No prior overdose history known to friend.
Last Oral Intake
Ate a small meal approximately 2 hours ago at the festival food stalls.
Treatment
No treatment given prior to EHS arrival. Friend stayed with patient and called for help.
Events Leading
Patient was attending the Fremantle Summer Festival with a group of friends. Became upset after a phone argument with her partner. Friends noticed her behaviour change and found her sitting alone behind the main stage with the empty blister pack beside her.
Scenario Progression and Treatment Objectives

((If trainees do not collect and bag the blister pack for dose/agent identification โ€” patient's friend reports 'she had more tablets in her bag earlier, I don't know if there were any more packs' โ€” prompt trainees to search the immediate area and secure all medication packaging in the green and white patient medications bag))

((If trainees attempt to induce vomiting โ€” the patient begins to gag but no vomit is produced; facilitator states firmly: 'Do not induce vomiting โ€” this is contraindicated in poisoning management'))

((If trainees do not assess BGL in a patient with altered GCS โ€” patient's confusion worsens slightly and she becomes more drowsy, GCS drops to 12 โ€” prompting trainees to complete the full vital signs survey including BGL))

((If trainees do not attempt to clarify the agent, dose, and time of ingestion โ€” the friend volunteers: 'I think she might have taken some other tablets too but I'm not sure' โ€” prompting a thorough SAMPLE history and medication search))

((If oxygen is not applied within 4 minutes โ€” SpO2 drifts to 94% RA and RR increases to 16, prompting trainees to apply supplemental oxygen))

((If trainees do not consider the intentional nature of the overdose and patient safety โ€” facilitator prompts: 'The patient becomes tearful and says she just wanted everything to stop for a while' โ€” trainees must not leave the patient alone and must address the emotional context in their management))

This patient is suffering from a suspected intentional paracetamol overdose (approximately 8g โ€” 16 x 500mg tablets) of unknown exact timing, with an altered conscious state secondary to possible co-ingestion or emotional distress, requiring urgent supportive management, scene safety assessment, agent/dose/time documentation, and Priority 1 transport to ED.

  • Ensure scene safety โ€” approach from a safe position, check for additional hazards (other substances, unsafe environment behind stage)
  • Don appropriate PPE including gloves prior to patient contact
  • Perform Primary Survey โ€” assess DRSABCD systematically
  • Open and maintain airway โ€” confirm patent, no suction required at this time
  • Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10โ€“15 litres per minute โ€” titrate to maintain SpO2 94โ€“98%
  • Assess and record GCS โ€” document as GCS 13 (E3V4M6)
  • Perform full Vital Signs Survey โ€” HR, BP, RR, SpO2, BGL, temperature, pain score, pupils
  • Conduct BGL โ€” result 4.8 mmol/L, within normal range, no glucose gel indicated
  • Perform Secondary Survey โ€” assess for additional injuries, rashes, or signs of co-ingestion toxidromes
  • Obtain IMISTAMBO history โ€” identify Agent (paracetamol 500mg), Dose (estimated 8g โ€” 16 tablets), Route (oral), Time since ingestion (estimated 1โ€“2 hours), and Clinical Features
  • Do NOT induce vomiting โ€” contraindicated in poisoning management
  • Do NOT attempt to neutralise or dilute the substance at this stage โ€” beyond 10-minute window guidance applies only to corrosives/acids
  • Collect all medication packaging โ€” place in green and white patient medications bag for dose/agent calculation at ED
  • Remain with patient at all times โ€” do not leave unattended given suspected intentional ingestion and emotional distress
  • Remove contaminated clothing if indicated โ€” not required in this scenario (oral ingestion only)
  • Position patient in lateral position if conscious state deteriorates further (GCS drops below manageable level) โ€” currently GCS 13, maintain seated or semi-recumbent position with airway monitoring
  • Repeat vital signs every 10 minutes โ€” document trends and monitor for deterioration
  • Contact State Operations Centre to advise of suspected intentional overdose โ€” consider WAPOL notification for patient welfare if clinically appropriate
  • Consider contacting Australian Poisons Information Centre (PIC) on 13 11 26 for specific paracetamol overdose guidance if transport is delayed
  • Reassure patient continuously โ€” address distress sensitively, do not leave patient alone
  • Prepare for Priority 1 transport โ€” pre-notify receiving ED of: 35YO female, suspected intentional paracetamol overdose approximately 8g (16 x 500mg tablets), timing uncertain 1โ€“2 hours ago, GCS 13, haemodynamically stable, no vomiting, BGL 4.8, oxygen applied
  • Scenario ends on arrival of ambulance and IMISTAMBO handover
  • Attention to hand hygiene will be given throughout the scenario.

Clinical references: Poisons & Overdoses ยท Unconsciousness ยท Oxygen Delivery ยท Primary Survey ยท Secondary & CNS Survey ยท Blood Glucose Monitor ยท Pulse Oximetry ยท Lateral Position