Toxicology: Indian red scorpion sting: 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 · Toxicology: Indian red scorpion sting

Sample item

A 6-year-old child in a rural area is brought 3 hours after a scorpion sting with cold sweaty extremities, tachycardia, hypertension, priapism and pulmonary oedema. Which drug counteracts the underlying catecholamine surge?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Prazosin

Venom of the Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) prolongs sodium channel opening and releases large amounts of catecholamines, causing hypertension, pulmonary oedema and myocardial dysfunction. The alpha-1 antagonist prazosin counters the vasoconstriction and has been shown to reduce mortality. Beta-blockers can worsen the picture by leaving alpha effects unopposed.

Option by option

  • A. Prazosin (correct)

    Prazosin blocks alpha-1 vasoconstriction caused by the catecholamine storm.

  • B. Atropine

    Atropine would worsen tachycardia and does not address the sympathetic surge.

  • C. Adrenaline

    Adrenaline would add to the catecholamine excess.

  • D. Propranolol

    Propranolol leaves alpha stimulation unopposed and can worsen heart failure and hypertension.

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 A, Prazosin. Venom of the Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) prolongs sodium channel opening and releases large amounts of catecholamines, causing hypertension, pulmonary oedema and myocardial dysfunction.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine would worsen tachycardia and does not address the sympathetic surge.

Why is "Adrenaline" not the answer?

Adrenaline would add to the catecholamine excess.

Why is "Propranolol" not the answer?

Propranolol leaves alpha stimulation unopposed and can worsen heart failure and hypertension.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: Indian red scorpion sting in Pharmacology. The alpha-1 antagonist prazosin counters the vasoconstriction and has been shown to reduce mortality. Beta-blockers can worsen the picture by leaving alpha effects 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: Indian red scorpion sting?

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.