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

Transverse white lines on the nails (Mees' lines) are a feature of chronic poisoning with:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Arsenic

Arsenic causes Mees' lines, raindrop pigmentation, hyperkeratosis of palms and soles, and peripheral neuropathy. Lead causes a blue Burton's line on the gums.

Option by option

  • A. Arsenic (correct)

    Correct.

  • B. Lead

    Lead causes Burton's line and wrist drop.

  • C. Mercury

    Mercury causes gingivitis and erethism.

  • D. Copper

    Copper causes a green line on the gums.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Arsenic. Arsenic causes Mees' lines, raindrop pigmentation, hyperkeratosis of palms and soles, and peripheral neuropathy.

Why is "Lead" not the answer?

Lead causes Burton's line and wrist drop.

Why is "Mercury" not the answer?

Mercury causes gingivitis and erethism.

Why is "Copper" not the answer?

Copper causes a green line on the gums.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology in Forensic Medicine. Lead causes a blue Burton's line on the gums.

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.