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

D. Gravitational blood settling

After circulation stops, blood settles by gravity in dependent vessels and skin, creating postmortem lividity or hypostasis in lowermost areas.

Option by option

  • A. Evaporation

    Evaporation contributes to drying, not blood pooling.

  • B. Arterial spasm

    Arterial spasm does not produce fixed hypostasis.

  • C. Muscle contraction

    Muscle contraction produces rigor, not lividity.

  • D. Gravitational blood settling (correct)

    Correct: gravity causes blood settling after circulation ceases.

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, Gravitational blood settling. After circulation stops, blood settles by gravity in dependent vessels and skin, creating postmortem lividity or hypostasis in lowermost areas.

Why is "Evaporation" not the answer?

Evaporation contributes to drying, not blood pooling.

Why is "Arterial spasm" not the answer?

Arterial spasm does not produce fixed hypostasis.

Why is "Muscle contraction" not the answer?

Muscle contraction produces rigor, not lividity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: gravity causes blood settling after circulation ceases.

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.