Toxicology and antidotes: chronic arsenic poisoning: 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 and antidotes: chronic arsenic poisoning

Sample item

A 40-year-old man from a village with contaminated groundwater has raindrop-like hyperpigmentation of the trunk, thickened palms and soles, and transverse white lines on his nails. Which toxic element has he been exposed to chronically?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Arsenic

Chronic arsenic ingestion, often from contaminated tube-well water, produces raindrop pigmentation, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis and Mees lines. Long exposure raises the risk of skin, lung and bladder cancers, and peripheral neuropathy may occur.

Option by option

  • A. Cadmium

    Cadmium causes renal tubular damage and osteomalacia.

  • B. Mercury

    Mercury causes tremor, gingivitis and renal injury, and does not cause hyperkeratosis.

  • C. Arsenic (correct)

    Correct. Raindrop pigmentation, hyperkeratosis and Mees lines are classic chronic arsenicosis.

  • D. Lead

    Lead causes a bluish gum line, anaemia with basophilic stippling and motor neuropathy.

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 C, Arsenic. Chronic arsenic ingestion, often from contaminated tube-well water, produces raindrop pigmentation, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis and Mees lines.

Why is "Cadmium" not the answer?

Cadmium causes renal tubular damage and osteomalacia.

Why is "Mercury" not the answer?

Mercury causes tremor, gingivitis and renal injury, and does not cause hyperkeratosis.

Why is "Lead" not the answer?

Lead causes a bluish gum line, anaemia with basophilic stippling and motor neuropathy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology and antidotes: chronic arsenic poisoning in Pharmacology. Long exposure raises the risk of skin, lung and bladder cancers, and peripheral neuropathy may occur.

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 and antidotes: chronic arsenic poisoning?

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.