Toxicology: acid attack first aid: practice question

A Forensic 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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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: acid attack first aid

Sample item

A woman is brought within minutes after a man threw concentrated acid on her face and neck. What is the most important first-aid measure at the scene?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Immediate and prolonged irrigation with copious running water

Prolonged irrigation with large volumes of water dilutes and washes off the acid and limits the depth of tissue damage; clothing is removed and the eyes are irrigated. Neutralisation produces heat and further injury. Throwing acid is a specific offence, punishable under IPC 326A and 326B, now BNS 124.

Option by option

  • A. Applying a dilute alkali to neutralise the acid

    Neutralisation with alkali is exothermic and can add a thermal injury.

  • B. Applying oil or ointment to soothe the skin

    Oils trap the chemical and heat against the skin and delay irrigation.

  • C. Immediate and prolonged irrigation with copious running water (correct)

    Correct. Early copious irrigation is the single most effective way to limit injury.

  • D. Covering the burn with dry cloth and waiting for transport

    Leaving acid on the skin continues the damage during delay.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Immediate and prolonged irrigation with copious running water. Prolonged irrigation with large volumes of water dilutes and washes off the acid and limits the depth of tissue damage; clothing is removed and the eyes are irrigated.

Why is "Applying a dilute alkali to neutralise the acid" not the answer?

Neutralisation with alkali is exothermic and can add a thermal injury.

Why is "Applying oil or ointment to soothe the skin" not the answer?

Oils trap the chemical and heat against the skin and delay irrigation.

Why is "Covering the burn with dry cloth and waiting for transport" not the answer?

Leaving acid on the skin continues the damage during delay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: acid attack first aid in Forensic Medicine. Neutralisation produces heat and further injury. Throwing acid is a specific offence, punishable under IPC 326A and 326B, now BNS 124.

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 Toxicology: acid attack first aid?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic 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.