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Caustic ingestion — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

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HardPoisoning/OverdoseCaustic ingestionMCCQE Part 1

A 3-year-old drinks an unknown household drain cleaner and develops drooling and refusal to swallow. There is no respiratory distress. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Do not induce vomiting; arrange urgent assessment and endoscopy according to caustic ingestion pathway

Caustic ingestion with drooling suggests oesophageal injury and needs urgent specialist assessment. Vomiting or neutralization can worsen burns and aspiration risk. Activated charcoal does not bind caustics well and obscures endoscopy.

Reference: Canadian Paediatric Society injury prevention/emergency practice; poison centre guidance