Which agent is a vesicant that would cause rapid skin and tissue damage but is not primarily a pulmonary agent?

Which agent is a vesicant that would cause rapid skin and tissue damage but is not primarily a pulmonary agent?

• A. Chlorine
• B. Ricin
• C. Sarin
• D. Phosgene oxime

Answer: (D)

Vesicants are blister-causing agents that primarily damage skin and mucous membranes. Phosgene oxime is a highly potent vesicant whose hallmark is rapid, severe dermal injury and blistering. It acts on the skin quickly, producing tissue necrosis, rather than focusing on primary injury to the lungs. By contrast, chlorine is mainly a pulmonary irritant that harms the respiratory tract, sarin is a nerve agent with systemic neurotoxic effects, and ricin is a toxin with broader systemic effects—not primarily a vesicant. So phosgene oxime fits best as a vesicant that causes rapid skin and tissue damage but is not primarily a pulmonary agent.

Vesicants are blister-causing agents that primarily damage skin and mucous membranes. Phosgene oxime is a highly potent vesicant whose hallmark is rapid, severe dermal injury and blistering. It acts on the skin quickly, producing tissue necrosis, rather than focusing on primary injury to the lungs. By contrast, chlorine is mainly a pulmonary irritant that harms the respiratory tract, sarin is a nerve agent with systemic neurotoxic effects, and ricin is a toxin with broader systemic effects—not primarily a vesicant. So phosgene oxime fits best as a vesicant that causes rapid skin and tissue damage but is not primarily a pulmonary agent.