Toxicology: scorpion sting: 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: scorpion sting

Sample item

A 6-year-old in rural Maharashtra develops profuse sweating, cold extremities, hypertension, tachycardia and pulmonary oedema after a red scorpion sting. Which drug is most appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Prazosin

Mesobuthus tamulus venom causes an autonomic storm with massive catecholamine release, producing hypertension, pulmonary oedema and myocarditis. Prazosin, an alpha-blocker, counteracts the effects and reduces mortality. Beta-blockers alone can worsen the picture by leaving alpha stimulation unopposed.

Option by option

  • A. Prazosin (correct)

    Correct. Prazosin blocks the alpha-adrenergic effects of the venom.

  • B. Digoxin

    Digoxin does not address the catecholamine surge.

  • C. Propranolol

    A beta-blocker alone leaves alpha effects unopposed and may worsen cardiac failure.

  • D. Atropine

    Atropine would worsen tachycardia and is not the main treatment.

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 A, Prazosin. Mesobuthus tamulus venom causes an autonomic storm with massive catecholamine release, producing hypertension, pulmonary oedema and myocarditis.

Why is "Digoxin" not the answer?

Digoxin does not address the catecholamine surge.

Why is "Propranolol" not the answer?

A beta-blocker alone leaves alpha effects unopposed and may worsen cardiac failure.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine would worsen tachycardia and is not the main treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: scorpion sting in Forensic Medicine. Prazosin, an alpha-blocker, counteracts the effects and reduces mortality. Beta-blockers alone can worsen the picture by leaving alpha stimulation unopposed.

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: scorpion sting?

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.