Asphyxial deaths: Gettler's test: 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 · Asphyxial deaths: Gettler's test

Sample item

The Gettler test for drowning compares blood chloride between the two sides of the heart. In fresh water drowning the expected finding is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lower chloride in left heart blood than in right heart blood

In fresh water drowning the absorbed water dilutes blood in the left heart, so its chloride is lower than in the right. In sea water drowning the left heart chloride is higher. Post-mortem diffusion limits the reliability of the test.

Option by option

  • A. Chloride equal on both sides

    Equal chloride is expected in non-drowning deaths.

  • B. Chloride absent on the left side

    Chloride is never absent from blood.

  • C. Higher chloride in left heart blood than in right heart blood

    Higher left-sided chloride is seen in sea water drowning.

  • D. Lower chloride in left heart blood than in right heart blood (correct)

    Correct. Haemodilution lowers left-sided chloride in fresh water drowning.

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 D, Lower chloride in left heart blood than in right heart blood. In fresh water drowning the absorbed water dilutes blood in the left heart, so its chloride is lower than in the right.

Why is "Chloride equal on both sides" not the answer?

Equal chloride is expected in non-drowning deaths.

Why is "Chloride absent on the left side" not the answer?

Chloride is never absent from blood.

Why is "Higher chloride in left heart blood than in right heart blood" not the answer?

Higher left-sided chloride is seen in sea water drowning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: Gettler's test in Forensic Medicine. In sea water drowning the left heart chloride is higher. Post-mortem diffusion limits the reliability of the test.

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: Gettler's test?

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.