Asphyxial deaths: washerwoman skin changes: 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: washerwoman skin changes

Sample item

A body shows bleached, wrinkled skin of the palms and soles resembling the hands of a washerwoman. What does this finding indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Prolonged immersion in water, not necessarily drowning

Wrinkling and bleaching of palms and soles, the washerwoman change, is due to water imbibition into the keratin and develops within hours of immersion. It reveals duration of immersion and not the cause of death, as it also occurs in bodies thrown in after death.

Option by option

  • A. Death by drowning in fresh water

    It is seen in both fresh and sea water and in non-drowned bodies.

  • B. Prolonged immersion in water, not necessarily drowning (correct)

    Correct. It reflects time in water and not cause of death.

  • C. Death from hypothermia

    Hypothermia does not cause it; prolonged contact with water is needed.

  • D. Death by asphyxia on land

    Asphyxia on land does not produce it.

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, Prolonged immersion in water, not necessarily drowning. Wrinkling and bleaching of palms and soles, the washerwoman change, is due to water imbibition into the keratin and develops within hours of immersion.

Why is "Death by drowning in fresh water" not the answer?

It is seen in both fresh and sea water and in non-drowned bodies.

Why is "Death from hypothermia" not the answer?

Hypothermia does not cause it; prolonged contact with water is needed.

Why is "Death by asphyxia on land" not the answer?

Asphyxia on land does not produce it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: washerwoman skin changes in Forensic Medicine. It reveals duration of immersion and not the cause of death, as it also occurs in bodies thrown in after death.

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: washerwoman skin changes?

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.