Antidotes: snake antivenom response monitoring: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Antidotes: snake antivenom response monitoring

Sample item

A farmer bitten by a Russell's viper is treated with an initial dose of polyvalent anti-snake venom. The 20-minute whole blood clotting test is repeated six hours later, and the blood remains unclotted. He is still bleeding from the gums. What is the next step according to the standard Indian protocol?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Repeat the dose of anti-snake venom and recheck the clotting test after six hours

Viper venom causes consumption coagulopathy, and an unclotted 20-minute whole blood clotting test signals persistent circulating venom. National guidelines advise repeating the clotting test about six hours after the initial dose and repeating the antivenom dose if the blood is still unclotted. Blood products are given only for serious bleeding and do not neutralise venom.

Option by option

  • A. Stop antivenom and give fresh frozen plasma only

    Plasma replaces factors temporarily and does not neutralise the venom still circulating.

  • B. Wait for 24 hours before the next test

    Delaying 24 hours leaves the coagulopathy untreated and risks haemorrhage.

  • C. Give neostigmine and atropine

    Neostigmine with atropine is used for neurotoxic snakebite, which this is not.

  • D. Repeat the dose of anti-snake venom and recheck the clotting test after six hours (correct)

    Persistent non-clotting indicates ongoing venom effect, so the antivenom dose is repeated.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Repeat the dose of anti-snake venom and recheck the clotting test after six hours. Viper venom causes consumption coagulopathy, and an unclotted 20-minute whole blood clotting test signals persistent circulating venom.

Why is "Stop antivenom and give fresh frozen plasma only" not the answer?

Plasma replaces factors temporarily and does not neutralise the venom still circulating.

Why is "Wait for 24 hours before the next test" not the answer?

Delaying 24 hours leaves the coagulopathy untreated and risks haemorrhage.

Why is "Give neostigmine and atropine" not the answer?

Neostigmine with atropine is used for neurotoxic snakebite, which this is not.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidotes: snake antivenom response monitoring in Pharmacology. National guidelines advise repeating the clotting test about six hours after the initial dose and repeating the antivenom dose if the blood is still unclotted. Blood products are given only for serious bleeding and do not neutralise venom.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Antidotes: snake antivenom response monitoring?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.