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.

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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology

Sample item

A toddler accidentally swallows kerosene. Which step should be avoided in management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Induced vomiting or gastric lavage

Kerosene is a low-viscosity hydrocarbon with high aspiration risk. Vomiting causes aspiration and chemical pneumonitis, which is the main cause of morbidity, so emesis and lavage are contraindicated. Management is supportive, with oxygen as needed and monitoring.

Option by option

  • A. Induced vomiting or gastric lavage (correct)

    Correct. Emesis or lavage increases the risk of aspiration pneumonitis.

  • B. Supplemental oxygen

    Oxygen is appropriate if hypoxic.

  • C. Observation for respiratory distress

    Observation is appropriate because respiratory features may develop.

  • D. Chest radiograph

    A radiograph helps detect pneumonitis.

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, Induced vomiting or gastric lavage. Kerosene is a low-viscosity hydrocarbon with high aspiration risk.

Why is "Supplemental oxygen" not the answer?

Oxygen is appropriate if hypoxic.

Why is "Observation for respiratory distress" not the answer?

Observation is appropriate because respiratory features may develop.

Why is "Chest radiograph" not the answer?

A radiograph helps detect pneumonitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology in Forensic Medicine. Vomiting causes aspiration and chemical pneumonitis, which is the main cause of morbidity, so emesis and lavage are contraindicated. Management is supportive, with oxygen as needed and monitoring.

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.