Thanatology: preservation of viscera: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Thanatology: preservation of viscera

Sample item

Stomach and intestines are to be sent to the laboratory for analysis in a suspected case of ethanol poisoning. Which preservative should be avoided?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Rectified spirit

Rectified spirit is itself ethyl alcohol, so it would make analysis for alcohol meaningless. Saturated salt solution is the usual viscera preservative in India, and sodium fluoride preserves blood for alcohol estimation. Refrigeration is also acceptable.

Option by option

  • A. Refrigeration of the container without preservative

    Cooling slows decay without adding any interfering substance.

  • B. Saturated solution of common salt

    Saturated salt solution is the standard general preservative and does not contain alcohol.

  • C. Sodium fluoride for the blood sample

    Sodium fluoride inhibits microbial alcohol production and is the recommended blood preservative.

  • D. Rectified spirit (correct)

    The preservative is itself alcohol and would invalidate any ethanol estimation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Rectified spirit. Rectified spirit is itself ethyl alcohol, so it would make analysis for alcohol meaningless.

Why is "Refrigeration of the container without preservative" not the answer?

Cooling slows decay without adding any interfering substance.

Why is "Saturated solution of common salt" not the answer?

Saturated salt solution is the standard general preservative and does not contain alcohol.

Why is "Sodium fluoride for the blood sample" not the answer?

Sodium fluoride inhibits microbial alcohol production and is the recommended blood preservative.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: preservation of viscera in Forensic Medicine. Saturated salt solution is the usual viscera preservative in India, and sodium fluoride preserves blood for alcohol estimation. Refrigeration is also acceptable.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thanatology: preservation of viscera?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.