Toxicology: iron poisoning: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Toxicology: iron poisoning

Sample item

A child who swallowed many iron tablets has haematemesis, lethargy and metabolic acidosis, and an abdominal X-ray shows radio-opaque tablets. Which is the antidote?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Deferoxamine

Iron poisoning causes corrosive gastrointestinal injury followed by shock, acidosis and later hepatic failure. Deferoxamine chelates free iron, and the urine may turn vin rose. Whole bowel irrigation is used for retained tablets, and activated charcoal does not bind iron.

Option by option

  • A. Fomepizole

    Fomepizole treats methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.

  • B. Dimercaprol

    Dimercaprol chelates arsenic, mercury and lead.

  • C. Deferoxamine (correct)

    Correct. Deferoxamine chelates iron.

  • D. Pralidoxime

    Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase in organophosphate poisoning.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Deferoxamine. Iron poisoning causes corrosive gastrointestinal injury followed by shock, acidosis and later hepatic failure.

Why is "Fomepizole" not the answer?

Fomepizole treats methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.

Why is "Dimercaprol" not the answer?

Dimercaprol chelates arsenic, mercury and lead.

Why is "Pralidoxime" not the answer?

Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase in organophosphate poisoning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: iron poisoning in General Medicine. Deferoxamine chelates free iron, and the urine may turn vin rose. Whole bowel irrigation is used for retained tablets, and activated charcoal does not bind iron.

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: iron poisoning?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.