Injuries: low-voltage electrocution: 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 · Injuries: low-voltage electrocution

Sample item

An electrician who touched a live 230 V wire with wet hands is found dead. The only external finding is a small pale crater-like mark on the palm. What is the most likely cause of death?

AVentricular fibrillation from current passing through the heartBTraumatic brain injury from a fallCExtensive deep burns causing hypovolaemic shockDRespiratory paralysis from damage to the medulla by high-voltage current

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ventricular fibrillation from current passing through the heart

Domestic low-voltage alternating current (50 Hz) commonly causes death by ventricular fibrillation when the path of current crosses the chest, from hand to hand or hand to foot. Wet skin lowers resistance and increases current flow. External marks may be small, with a pale crater-like electrical mark at the point of contact.

Option by option

A. Ventricular fibrillation from current passing through the heart (correct)
Correct. Low-voltage alternating current mainly kills by inducing ventricular fibrillation.
B. Traumatic brain injury from a fall
A fall is not suggested by the history or the injury found.
C. Extensive deep burns causing hypovolaemic shock
Deep burns with shock are a feature of high-voltage contact or flash injuries, not a small palmar mark.
D. Respiratory paralysis from damage to the medulla by high-voltage current
Respiratory centre paralysis and extensive burns are more typical of high-voltage injuries.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Ventricular fibrillation from current passing through the heart. Domestic low-voltage alternating current (50 Hz) commonly causes death by ventricular fibrillation when the path of current crosses the chest, from hand to hand or hand to foot.

Why is "Traumatic brain injury from a fall" not the answer?

A fall is not suggested by the history or the injury found.

Why is "Extensive deep burns causing hypovolaemic shock" not the answer?

Deep burns with shock are a feature of high-voltage contact or flash injuries, not a small palmar mark.

Why is "Respiratory paralysis from damage to the medulla by high-voltage curr…" not the answer?

Respiratory centre paralysis and extensive burns are more typical of high-voltage injuries.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries: low-voltage electrocution in Forensic Medicine. Wet skin lowers resistance and increases current flow. External marks may be small, with a pale crater-like electrical mark at the point of contact.

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 Injuries: low-voltage electrocution?

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.