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 is the term for postmortem cooling of the body?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Algor mortis

Algor mortis is the gradual cooling of a body after death toward ambient temperature, influenced by clothing, environment, body habitus, and air movement.

Option by option

  • A. Algor mortis (correct)

    Correct: algor mortis means postmortem cooling.

  • B. Rigor mortis

    Rigor mortis is postmortem muscle stiffening.

  • C. Livor mortis

    Livor mortis is dependent blood settling.

  • D. Maceration

    Maceration is softening in a fluid environment.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Algor mortis. Algor mortis is the gradual cooling of a body after death toward ambient temperature, influenced by clothing, environment, body habitus, and air movement.

Why is "Rigor mortis" not the answer?

Rigor mortis is postmortem muscle stiffening.

Why is "Livor mortis" not the answer?

Livor mortis is dependent blood settling.

Why is "Maceration" not the answer?

Maceration is softening in a fluid environment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: algor mortis means postmortem cooling.

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.