Nokea
A child visiting his grandfather at his farm returns home having fever, skin flush, dry mouth, constipation, dilated pupils, and increased heart rate. Which of the following could be the offending agent:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Eating seeds containing atropine. Atropine is a plant alkaloid commonly found in certain seeds that can cause symptoms such as fever, skin flush, dry mouth, constipation, dilated pupils, and increased heart rate when ingested. Atropine is known to have anticholinergic effects, which align with the symptoms presented by the child. Malathion (B) is an insecticide that typically causes different symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Echothiophate drops (C) are cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of glaucoma, which would not produce the described symptoms. Physostigmine (D) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that would not cause symptoms of anticholinergic toxicity seen in the child.