his serum sodium concentration had increased from 142 mmol/L to 165 mmol/L. Soluble paracetamol was withdrawn shortly before he died, and was believed to have contributed to his hypernatremia.

Her pulse fell to 77 bpm during conversation. Blood tests were normal apart from serum paracetamol at 239 µmol/L (therapeutic range 30–130) and venous blood gas analysis results which were pH 7.38 ...