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Snakebite neurotoxicity — DTM&H MCQ

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HardEnvironmental and occupational healthSnakebite neurotoxicityDTM&H

A farmer in rural India is bitten by a snake and develops ptosis, descending weakness and shallow breathing. Local swelling is minimal. What is the most appropriate treatment?

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Correct answer: C — Syndromic antivenom with ventilatory support

Syndromic antivenom with ventilatory support is the single best answer because neurotoxic envenoming requires urgent supportive airway care and appropriate antivenom where indicated. Tourniquet for 12 hours is plausible in a related presentation, but it is less appropriate because it does not fit the key discriminator in this vignette. The teaching point is that harmful first-aid practices such as incision or prolonged tourniquet worsen outcomes.

Reference: WHO snakebite envenoming strategy; WHO heat-health guidance; Manson's Tropical Diseases