Postmortem changes: lividity: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Postmortem changes: lividity

Sample item

Which feature suggests postmortem lividity has become fixed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It no longer blanches or shifts after repositioning

Postmortem lividity is gravitational blood pooling in dependent areas. When fixed, it does not blanch with pressure or shift with a change in body position.

Option by option

  • A. It produces palpable swelling

    Lividity is discoloration, not a swollen lesion.

  • B. It is present only at pressure points

    Pressure areas are usually spared because pressure prevents pooling.

  • C. It vanishes immediately after death

    Lividity develops after death rather than disappearing immediately.

  • D. It no longer blanches or shifts after repositioning (correct)

    Correct. This describes fixed lividity.

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 D, It no longer blanches or shifts after repositioning. Postmortem lividity is gravitational blood pooling in dependent areas.

Why is "It produces palpable swelling" not the answer?

Lividity is discoloration, not a swollen lesion.

Why is "It is present only at pressure points" not the answer?

Pressure areas are usually spared because pressure prevents pooling.

Why is "It vanishes immediately after death" not the answer?

Lividity develops after death rather than disappearing immediately.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes: lividity in Forensic Medicine. When fixed, it does not blanch with pressure or shift with a change in body position.

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: lividity?

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.