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 change makes muscles stiff after death?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Rigor mortis

Rigor mortis occurs as ATP is depleted after death, allowing persistent actin-myosin binding and causing temporary muscle stiffening.

Option by option

  • A. Mummification

    Mummification is desiccated preservation.

  • B. Rigor mortis (correct)

    Correct: ATP depletion produces rigor mortis.

  • C. Algor mortis

    Algor mortis is body cooling.

  • D. Putrefaction

    Putrefaction is decomposition by microbes and enzymes.

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 B, Rigor mortis. Rigor mortis occurs as ATP is depleted after death, allowing persistent actin-myosin binding and causing temporary muscle stiffening.

Why is "Mummification" not the answer?

Mummification is desiccated preservation.

Why is "Algor mortis" not the answer?

Algor mortis is body cooling.

Why is "Putrefaction" not the answer?

Putrefaction is decomposition by microbes and enzymes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: ATP depletion produces rigor mortis.

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.