A 2-year-old is brought 40 minutes after drinking kerosene from a bottle left on the floor. He has vomited once spontaneously and smells of hydrocarbon. He is alert, SpO2 is 95 percent on room air, RR 34/min. Which intervention is contraindicated in this child?

• A Chest radiograph to look for infiltrates
• B Supplemental oxygen
• C Observation for respiratory symptoms over the next 6 hours
• D Gastric lavage ✓

Explanation

Kerosene is a low-viscosity, high-volatility hydrocarbon whose main danger is chemical pneumonitis from aspiration. Gastric lavage is contraindicated because it provokes vomiting and carries a high risk of forcing hydrocarbon into the airway. Management is supportive: oxygen, monitoring for 6 hours, and chest radiograph if symptoms appear. Emesis induction is equally contraindicated for the same reason.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.