Toxicology: practice question

A Forensic 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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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology

Sample item

Which snake venom is predominantly neurotoxic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Common krait

Elapids such as cobra and krait have neurotoxic venom causing ptosis, bulbar palsy and respiratory paralysis. Vipers such as Russell's and saw-scaled have haemotoxic venom causing coagulopathy and bleeding.

Option by option

  • A. Hump-nosed pit viper

    The hump-nosed pit viper's venom is haemotoxic.

  • B. Russell's viper

    Russell's viper venom causes coagulopathy and renal failure.

  • C. Common krait (correct)

    Correct. Krait venom blocks neuromuscular transmission, and bites may be painless at night.

  • D. Saw-scaled viper

    Saw-scaled viper venom causes bleeding and incoagulable blood.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Common krait. Elapids such as cobra and krait have neurotoxic venom causing ptosis, bulbar palsy and respiratory paralysis.

Why is "Hump-nosed pit viper" not the answer?

The hump-nosed pit viper's venom is haemotoxic.

Why is "Russell's viper" not the answer?

Russell's viper venom causes coagulopathy and renal failure.

Why is "Saw-scaled viper" not the answer?

Saw-scaled viper venom causes bleeding and incoagulable blood.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology in Forensic Medicine. Vipers such as Russell's and saw-scaled have haemotoxic venom causing coagulopathy and bleeding.

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?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic 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.