Asphyxial deaths: positional asphyxia: 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: positional asphyxia

Sample item

A heavily intoxicated man is found dead, wedged head-down in a narrow gap between a bed and a wall, with his chest compressed. There are no neck marks, no injuries and no other signs of violence. Which mechanism best explains death?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Positional asphyxia from restricted chest movement with the head down

In positional asphyxia a person, often intoxicated, becomes trapped in a posture that prevents chest expansion or obstructs the airway and cannot extricate themselves. There is no external violence, and findings are non-specific asphyxial signs with a supportive scene. It is generally accidental.

Option by option

  • A. Traumatic compression of the chest by a crowd

    Crowd compression requires external pressure from many people, not present here.

  • B. Ligature strangulation

    A ligature would leave a neck mark, which is absent.

  • C. Positional asphyxia from restricted chest movement with the head down (correct)

    Correct. A trapped posture limited chest movement without any assault.

  • D. Smothering by an assailant

    Smothering would show injuries around the nose and mouth and an assailant context.

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, Positional asphyxia from restricted chest movement with the head down. In positional asphyxia a person, often intoxicated, becomes trapped in a posture that prevents chest expansion or obstructs the airway and cannot extricate themselves.

Why is "Traumatic compression of the chest by a crowd" not the answer?

Crowd compression requires external pressure from many people, not present here.

Why is "Ligature strangulation" not the answer?

A ligature would leave a neck mark, which is absent.

Why is "Smothering by an assailant" not the answer?

Smothering would show injuries around the nose and mouth and an assailant context.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: positional asphyxia in Forensic Medicine. There is no external violence, and findings are non-specific asphyxial signs with a supportive scene. It is generally accidental.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: positional asphyxia?

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.