Toxicology Practice Questions |
2 |
1 . Chronic ingestion of lead-based paint chips will result in which of the fol lowing?
A.Garlic breath
B.Changes in skin pigmentation
C.Accumulation of 8-aminolevulinate and inhibition of heme synthesis
D.Auditory and visual loss
E.Interstitial pneumonitis and neurological effects
2.A 3-year-old child was brought to the ER following the ingestion of several pills. The child is suffering from severe gastrointestinal discomfort and has thrown up twice, each time producing a bloody vomitus. Questioning of the mother reveals the child got into the mother's old prenatal vitamins. What antidote should be given?
A.Dimercaprol
B.Deferoxamine c. EDTA
D.Penicillamine
E.Succimer
Answers
1.Answer: C. Chronic poisoning with lead will result in a multitude of effects including inhibition of heme synthesis and accumulation of 8-aminolevulinate in the plasma. Arsenic poisoning is associated with garlic breath and changes in skin pigmentation. Organic mercury causes auditory and visual loss and loosening of the teeth, while inhaled mercury vapor can cause interstitial pneumonitis and neurological effects.
2.Answer: B. The child is suffering from iron poisoning. Deferoxamine chelates iron and is the antidote in iron poisoning. The other choices are allmetal chelators with utility in other types of heavy metal poisoning. Dirnercaprol is useful for a variety of metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury. EDTA is a back-up in lead poisoning. Penicillamine is useful in copper poisoning, and succirner is preferred for lead poisoning in kids.
