Emergencies: iron poisoning: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Emergencies: iron poisoning

Sample item

A toddler has swallowed his mother's iron tablets and now has vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and metabolic acidosis. Which chelator is used?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Deferoxamine

Iron poisoning causes gastrointestinal haemorrhage and shock within hours, with a latent phase and later hepatic failure and gastric scarring. Deferoxamine given intravenously chelates free iron and turns the urine vin rose. Abdominal X-ray may show radio-opaque tablets.

Option by option

  • A. Dimercaprol

    Dimercaprol is used for arsenic, mercury and lead.

  • B. Deferoxamine (correct)

    Correct. Deferoxamine is the chelator.

  • C. Calcium disodium EDTA

    Calcium EDTA is used for lead.

  • D. Penicillamine

    Penicillamine is used for Wilson disease.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Deferoxamine. Iron poisoning causes gastrointestinal haemorrhage and shock within hours, with a latent phase and later hepatic failure and gastric scarring.

Why is "Dimercaprol" not the answer?

Dimercaprol is used for arsenic, mercury and lead.

Why is "Calcium disodium EDTA" not the answer?

Calcium EDTA is used for lead.

Why is "Penicillamine" not the answer?

Penicillamine is used for Wilson disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Emergencies: iron poisoning in Pediatrics. Deferoxamine given intravenously chelates free iron and turns the urine vin rose. Abdominal X-ray may show radio-opaque tablets.

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 Emergencies: iron poisoning?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.