Toxicology: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Toxicology

Sample item

A man is found dead after convulsions with arched back and trismus. Witnesses say he remained fully conscious and spasms were triggered by touch or noise. Which poison is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Strychnine

Strychnine antagonises glycine at inhibitory spinal cord synapses. This removes inhibition of motor neurons and produces opisthotonos, risus sardonicus and violent spasms triggered by minor stimuli, with a clear sensorium. Death is by respiratory muscle spasm and asphyxia.

Option by option

  • A. Strychnine (correct)

    Correct. Glycine antagonism with a clear sensorium is characteristic.

  • B. Opium

    Opium causes coma, pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression.

  • C. Organophosphate

    Organophosphate poisoning causes muscarinic features, fasciculations and miosis.

  • D. Datura

    Datura causes delirium, dilated pupils and dry skin.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Strychnine. Strychnine antagonises glycine at inhibitory spinal cord synapses.

Why is "Opium" not the answer?

Opium causes coma, pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression.

Why is "Organophosphate" not the answer?

Organophosphate poisoning causes muscarinic features, fasciculations and miosis.

Why is "Datura" not the answer?

Datura causes delirium, dilated pupils and dry skin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology in Forensic Medicine. This removes inhibition of motor neurons and produces opisthotonos, risus sardonicus and violent spasms triggered by minor stimuli, with a clear sensorium. Death is by respiratory muscle spasm and asphyxia.

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?

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.