Final answer:
The correct antidote for acetaminophen toxicity is N-acetylcysteine, which replenishes glutathione stores to detoxify the harmful metabolite responsible for liver damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antidote for acetaminophen toxicity is N-acetylcysteine (NAC). It serves as a precursor to glutathione, which can help replenish intracellular glutathione stores that are depleted during an overdose of acetaminophen. Glutathione is essential for the detoxification of the reactive acetaminophen metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI); when glutathione stores are insufficient, this metabolite can lead to liver damage. NAC acts by replenishing glutathione, enhancing sulfation detoxification pathways, and providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, the correct answer to the original question is b) N-acetylcysteine.