Question
A 5-year-old boy who was started on treatment for Burkitt lymphoma develops acute onset respiratory distress and decreased urine output. Investigations reveal: Hb 8 g/dL, TLC 15000/mm3, platelet count 1 lakh/mm3, serum potassium 6.5 mEq/L, corrected serum calcium 6.7 mg/dL and serum creatinine 2 mg/dL. The most important drug for emergency management is:
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CMS 2026 Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and PSM Question Paper (02-Aug-2026)
The correct answer is
Rasburicase
The combination of hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia and renal impairment shortly after starting chemotherapy for a high-turnover tumor like Burkitt lymphoma is classic Tumour Lysis Syndrome. Rasburicase (recombinant urate oxidase) is the most important emergency drug as it rapidly reduces uric acid load, addressing the underlying cause and preventing worsening renal failure.
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Important Questions from Paediatric Emergencies
- In case of hypertensive emergency in a child, blood pressure should be reduced by up to :
- At what cut-off respiratory rate will you consider "fast breathing" in a 2-year-old child?
- A child presents with headache and vomiting in the emergency room following a fall from the bed. Which one of the following treatment modalities is not recommended in the emergency room?
- The recommended ratio for chest compression to breaths administered by a single rescuer during resuscitation of a child in cardiac arrest is:
- A 4-year-old comatose child is assessed by the Modified Glasgow Coma Scale. Which of the following is the correct interpretation of the score given as E2V3M2 for the best eye opening response, best verbal response and best motor response respectively?
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