Infectious diseases: snake bite: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: snake bite

Sample item

A farmer has bilateral ptosis, dysphagia and respiratory weakness after a night bite from a snake in the home with minimal local swelling. What is the best treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Polyvalent anti-snake venom with ventilatory support and anticholinesterase trial

Neurotoxic envenoming by krait or cobra causes descending paralysis, and treatment is early polyvalent anti-snake venom with airway support. A trial of neostigmine with atropine can help post-synaptic blockade by cobra. Viper bites are monitored with the 20-minute whole blood clotting test.

Option by option

  • A. Tourniquet and incision of the bite

    Tourniquets and incisions are harmful.

  • B. Antibiotics only

    Antibiotics do not neutralise venom.

  • C. Wait and observe

    Observation risks respiratory arrest.

  • D. Polyvalent anti-snake venom with ventilatory support and anticholinesterase trial (correct)

    Correct. ASV with ventilatory support is needed.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Polyvalent anti-snake venom with ventilatory support and anticholinesterase trial. Neurotoxic envenoming by krait or cobra causes descending paralysis, and treatment is early polyvalent anti-snake venom with airway support.

Why is "Tourniquet and incision of the bite" not the answer?

Tourniquets and incisions are harmful.

Why is "Antibiotics only" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not neutralise venom.

Why is "Wait and observe" not the answer?

Observation risks respiratory arrest.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: snake bite in General Medicine. A trial of neostigmine with atropine can help post-synaptic blockade by cobra. Viper bites are monitored with the 20-minute whole blood clotting test.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infectious diseases: snake bite?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.