Trauma and burns: snake bite surgical considerations: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Trauma and burns: snake bite surgical considerations

Sample item

A man bitten by a viper has swelling, bleeding gums and a positive 20-minute whole blood clotting test. His leg compartments are soft. What is the recommended management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Anti-snake venom, with fasciotomy only if compartment syndrome is confirmed

Vasculotoxic bites cause coagulopathy and local necrosis, and polyvalent antivenom is given for systemic envenoming. Fasciotomy is not prophylactic because coagulopathy increases bleeding, so it is reserved for confirmed compartment syndrome after correction of clotting. Cutting, suction and tight tourniquets are harmful.

Option by option

  • A. Tourniquet and incision at the bite

    Cutting and tourniquets are harmful.

  • B. Observation without antivenom

    Coagulopathy needs antivenom.

  • C. Prophylactic fasciotomy in all cases

    Prophylactic fasciotomy risks bleeding.

  • D. Anti-snake venom, with fasciotomy only if compartment syndrome is confirmed (correct)

    Correct. Antivenom first, fasciotomy only for confirmed compartment syndrome.

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 Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Anti-snake venom, with fasciotomy only if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Vasculotoxic bites cause coagulopathy and local necrosis, and polyvalent antivenom is given for systemic envenoming.

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

Cutting and tourniquets are harmful.

Why is "Observation without antivenom" not the answer?

Coagulopathy needs antivenom.

Why is "Prophylactic fasciotomy in all cases" not the answer?

Prophylactic fasciotomy risks bleeding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma and burns: snake bite surgical considerations in General Surgery. Fasciotomy is not prophylactic because coagulopathy increases bleeding, so it is reserved for confirmed compartment syndrome after correction of clotting. Cutting, suction and tight tourniquets are harmful.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Trauma and burns: snake bite surgical considerations?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.