Postmortem changes: 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 · Postmortem changes

Sample item

What causes postmortem lividity?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Gravitational settling of blood

This Postmortem changes item is resolved by the defining principle: Gravitational settling of blood best matches the stated finding or public-health measure.

Option by option

  • A. Gravitational settling of blood (correct)

    Correct. Gravitational settling of blood directly addresses the key clue in this scenario.

  • B. Arterial vasospasm

    Arterial vasospasm is not the best fit because it does not establish the requested postmortem changes conclusion.

  • C. Muscle contraction

    Muscle contraction may be relevant elsewhere, but it conflicts with the central fact given here.

  • D. Evaporation of body water

    Evaporation of body water does not explain the finding or provide the indicated intervention.

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 A, Gravitational settling of blood. This Postmortem changes item is resolved by the defining principle: Gravitational settling of blood best matches the stated finding or public-health measure.

Why is "Arterial vasospasm" not the answer?

Arterial vasospasm is not the best fit because it does not establish the requested postmortem changes conclusion.

Why is "Muscle contraction" not the answer?

Muscle contraction may be relevant elsewhere, but it conflicts with the central fact given here.

Why is "Evaporation of body water" not the answer?

Evaporation of body water does not explain the finding or provide the indicated intervention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. Gravitational settling of blood directly addresses the key clue in this scenario.

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 Postmortem changes?

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.