Nutrition: epidemic dropsy: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Nutrition: epidemic dropsy

Sample item

Within a week, many families in a town develop bilateral pitting leg oedema, diarrhoea and skin erythema, and a few have glaucoma. All had bought mustard oil from the same local mill. Which test on the oil confirms the suspected adulterant?

ABaudouin testBNitric acid test, giving an orange-red colourCMethylene blue reduction testDIodine test for starch

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nitric acid test, giving an orange-red colour

This is epidemic dropsy, caused by mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil, whose toxic alkaloid is sanguinarine. A drop of concentrated nitric acid mixed with the suspect oil gives an orange-red colour when argemone oil is present. Management is to stop the oil and give supportive care, and the source is traced and withdrawn.

Option by option

A. Baudouin test
The Baudouin test detects vanaspati in ghee through the sesame oil added to it.
B. Nitric acid test, giving an orange-red colour (correct)
Correct. Nitric acid produces an orange-red colour with argemone oil.
C. Methylene blue reduction test
The methylene blue reduction test assesses the bacteriological quality of milk.
D. Iodine test for starch
The iodine test detects starch used to adulterate foods such as milk or spices.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Nitric acid test, giving an orange-red colour. This is epidemic dropsy, caused by mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil, whose toxic alkaloid is sanguinarine.

Why is "Baudouin test" not the answer?

The Baudouin test detects vanaspati in ghee through the sesame oil added to it.

Why is "Methylene blue reduction test" not the answer?

The methylene blue reduction test assesses the bacteriological quality of milk.

Why is "Iodine test for starch" not the answer?

The iodine test detects starch used to adulterate foods such as milk or spices.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: epidemic dropsy in PSM. A drop of concentrated nitric acid mixed with the suspect oil gives an orange-red colour when argemone oil is present. Management is to stop the oil and give supportive care, and the source is traced and withdrawn.

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 Nutrition: epidemic dropsy?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.