Toxicology: stonefish sting: 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: stonefish sting

Sample item

A fisherman steps on a stonefish and has excruciating pain at the puncture. Which first-aid measure is recommended?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Immersion of the limb in hot water as tolerated

Stonefish venom contains heat-labile proteins, and immersion in hot water, as hot as is tolerated without scalding, relieves pain and inactivates the venom. Specific antivenom is available for severe cases. Vinegar is used for box jellyfish and a tourniquet is not advised.

Option by option

  • A. Application of ice packs

    Ice packs do not inactivate the venom and give poorer pain relief.

  • B. Application of vinegar to the wound

    Vinegar is for jellyfish stings and does not neutralise stonefish venom.

  • C. A tight tourniquet above the sting

    A tourniquet risks ischaemia and does not stop the venom action.

  • D. Immersion of the limb in hot water as tolerated (correct)

    Correct. Hot water immersion relieves the pain and denatures the heat-labile venom.

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 D, Immersion of the limb in hot water as tolerated. Stonefish venom contains heat-labile proteins, and immersion in hot water, as hot as is tolerated without scalding, relieves pain and inactivates the venom.

Why is "Application of ice packs" not the answer?

Ice packs do not inactivate the venom and give poorer pain relief.

Why is "Application of vinegar to the wound" not the answer?

Vinegar is for jellyfish stings and does not neutralise stonefish venom.

Why is "A tight tourniquet above the sting" not the answer?

A tourniquet risks ischaemia and does not stop the venom action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: stonefish sting in Forensic Medicine. Specific antivenom is available for severe cases. Vinegar is used for box jellyfish and a tourniquet is not advised.

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: stonefish sting?

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.