In the case of a child who ingested acetaminophen, which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?

The appropriate medication to administer in the case of a child who has ingested acetaminophen is acetylcysteine. Acetylcysteine acts as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity. It works by replenishing glutathione reserves in the liver, which helps to neutralize the harmful metabolites produced by acetaminophen overdose. This process significantly reduces the risk of liver damage if administered within the recommended time frame after ingestion.

Activated charcoal is not the best option in this scenario because although it can be used to prevent further absorption of the substance in the gastrointestinal tract, it is not specific to acetaminophen and is generally used within a certain time frame post-ingestion. Ranitidine, a medication used to reduce stomach acid, does not address acetaminophen toxicity and does not provide any therapeutic benefit in this case. Similarly, ibuprofen is another analgesic but does not counteract the potential effects of acetaminophen overdose. Therefore, acetylcysteine is the critical intervention required in this instance to protect the child from the deleterious effects of acetaminophen toxicity.