Toxicology: organochlorine poisoning: 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: organochlorine poisoning

Sample item

A child is brought with tonic-clonic convulsions after ingesting an endosulfan-containing pesticide. Which step should be avoided in management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Giving castor oil or other oily purgatives

Organochlorines are lipid soluble, and oils or fats enhance their absorption from the gut, so oily purgatives and fatty foods are avoided. Seizures are controlled with benzodiazepines, the airway protected, and decontamination with charcoal or lavage is done early.

Option by option

  • A. Benzodiazepines for the seizures

    Benzodiazepines are first-line for the seizures.

  • B. Giving castor oil or other oily purgatives (correct)

    Correct. Oily cathartics enhance absorption of lipid-soluble organochlorines.

  • C. Activated charcoal

    Activated charcoal reduces absorption and is acceptable.

  • D. Gastric lavage after securing the airway

    Lavage can be done early once the airway is protected.

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 B, Giving castor oil or other oily purgatives. Organochlorines are lipid soluble, and oils or fats enhance their absorption from the gut, so oily purgatives and fatty foods are avoided.

Why is "Benzodiazepines for the seizures" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines are first-line for the seizures.

Why is "Activated charcoal" not the answer?

Activated charcoal reduces absorption and is acceptable.

Why is "Gastric lavage after securing the airway" not the answer?

Lavage can be done early once the airway is protected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: organochlorine poisoning in Forensic Medicine. Seizures are controlled with benzodiazepines, the airway protected, and decontamination with charcoal or lavage is done early.

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: organochlorine poisoning?

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.