Which failure mode becomes likely when a patient with cirrhosis consumes excessive acetaminophen?

💡 Explanation

Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver, producing NAPQI, which is normally detoxified by glutathione. Because cirrhosis impairs liver function and glutathione production, the detoxification mechanism fails, therefore NAPQI accumulates, leading to hepatotoxicity, rather than being safely metabolized.

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