Thanatology: autopsy for air embolism: 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 · Thanatology: autopsy for air embolism

Sample item

At autopsy of a woman who collapsed after a criminal abortion, venous air embolism is suspected. What is the correct way to demonstrate air in the heart?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Open the right heart under water within the water-filled pericardial sac

To prove air embolism, the pericardial sac is filled with water and the right ventricle is opened under water; escaping bubbles show air. The chest should be opened carefully, since air may be introduced by the dissection itself. An X-ray before autopsy may also show gas in the heart.

Option by option

  • A. Palpate the heart for crepitation before dissection

    Palpation is unreliable and could mistake putrefactive gas for embolic air.

  • B. Examine the heart only after fixing it in formalin

    Fixation would not show air, which is lost or dispersed.

  • C. Open the heart after removing it and washing it in a basin

    Washing the removed heart in a basin lets the air escape unseen.

  • D. Open the right heart under water within the water-filled pericardial sac (correct)

    Correct. Bubbles rising through the water confirm intracardiac air.

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, Open the right heart under water within the water-filled pericardial sac. To prove air embolism, the pericardial sac is filled with water and the right ventricle is opened under water; escaping bubbles show air.

Why is "Palpate the heart for crepitation before dissection" not the answer?

Palpation is unreliable and could mistake putrefactive gas for embolic air.

Why is "Examine the heart only after fixing it in formalin" not the answer?

Fixation would not show air, which is lost or dispersed.

Why is "Open the heart after removing it and washing it in a basin" not the answer?

Washing the removed heart in a basin lets the air escape unseen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: autopsy for air embolism in Forensic Medicine. The chest should be opened carefully, since air may be introduced by the dissection itself. An X-ray before autopsy may also show gas in the heart.

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 Thanatology: autopsy for air embolism?

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.