Asphyxial deaths: drowning: 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 · Asphyxial deaths: drowning

Sample item

What is the most appropriate forensic conclusion when froth is found at the mouth and nostrils of a body recovered from water?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. It is supportive but not diagnostic of drowning by itself

No single postmortem finding proves drowning. Froth can support the diagnosis but must be interpreted with autopsy findings, toxicology, scene evidence, and exclusion of alternatives.

Option by option

  • A. It proves poisoning

    Froth is not specific for poisoning.

  • B. It is supportive but not diagnostic of drowning by itself (correct)

    Correct. Drowning is a diagnosis based on the totality of evidence.

  • C. It proves drowning beyond doubt

    Single signs are not conclusive.

  • D. It excludes natural disease

    Natural disease may contribute to or precede water immersion.

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 B, It is supportive but not diagnostic of drowning by itself. No single postmortem finding proves drowning.

Why is "It proves poisoning" not the answer?

Froth is not specific for poisoning.

Why is "It proves drowning beyond doubt" not the answer?

Single signs are not conclusive.

Why is "It excludes natural disease" not the answer?

Natural disease may contribute to or precede water immersion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: drowning in Forensic Medicine. Froth can support the diagnosis but must be interpreted with autopsy findings, toxicology, scene evidence, and exclusion of alternatives.

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 Asphyxial deaths: drowning?

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.