Forensic pathology: contusion: 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 · Forensic pathology: contusion

Sample item

Which statement best distinguishes a bruise from postmortem lividity?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. A bruise contains extravasated blood in tissues

A contusion is bleeding into tissue from antemortem vessel injury, whereas lividity is intravascular gravitational pooling after death. Incision and histology can assist interpretation.

Option by option

  • A. Lividity is caused by blunt trauma

    Lividity is a postmortem change rather than blunt injury.

  • B. Lividity is raised and tender

    Lividity is flat discoloration, not a tender swelling.

  • C. A bruise contains extravasated blood in tissues (correct)

    Correct. Extravasation supports antemortem bruising.

  • D. A bruise shifts when the body is moved

    Shifting is a feature of unfixed lividity, not a bruise.

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 C, A bruise contains extravasated blood in tissues. A contusion is bleeding into tissue from antemortem vessel injury, whereas lividity is intravascular gravitational pooling after death.

Why is "Lividity is caused by blunt trauma" not the answer?

Lividity is a postmortem change rather than blunt injury.

Why is "Lividity is raised and tender" not the answer?

Lividity is flat discoloration, not a tender swelling.

Why is "A bruise shifts when the body is moved" not the answer?

Shifting is a feature of unfixed lividity, not a bruise.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic pathology: contusion in Forensic Medicine. Incision and histology can assist interpretation.

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 Forensic pathology: contusion?

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.