Which symptom is associated with hepatotoxicity following acetaminophen toxicity?

In the setting of acetaminophen toxicity, hepatotoxicity can manifest through various symptoms as liver damage progresses. Delirium is a manifestation of severe hepatic encephalopathy, which can occur when the liver's ability to detoxify harmful substances is compromised due to extensive damage. This condition leads to an accumulation of ammonia and other neurotoxins in the bloodstream, which can affect mental status and potentially result in confusion, agitation, and ultimately, delirium.

While nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice are also relevant to hepatotoxicity, they typically present in earlier stages or are more common in the initial phases of liver injury. Nausea may indicate hepatic distress but does not directly imply advanced liver failure. Abdominal pain may arise due to liver swelling or distension, but it is not as specific to liver failure as delirium can be. Jaundice occurs as bilirubin accumulates due to liver dysfunction, but it often appears later in the continuum of liver injury.

Therefore, the presence of delirium signifies a more acute and severe impact on the brain due to underlying liver dysfunction, highlighting the progression toward severe hepatotoxicity following acetaminophen overdose.