Asphyxial deaths: environmental suffocation: 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: environmental suffocation

Sample item

A 4-year-old is found dead inside a closed, airtight old refrigerator with no injuries. By which mechanism did death occur?

AObstruction of the airway by a foreign bodyBCompression of the chest by external weightCProgressive fall in oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide in the sealed spaceDClosure of the nose and mouth by an assailant

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Progressive fall in oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide in the sealed space

In environmental or entrapment suffocation, a person in a sealed or poorly ventilated space such as a refrigerator, trunk or silo rebreathes air, so oxygen falls and carbon dioxide rises until asphyxia. Findings are non-specific. The scene explains death.

Option by option

A. Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body
No foreign body in the airway is described.
B. Compression of the chest by external weight
No external compression occurred.
C. Progressive fall in oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide in the sealed space (correct)
Correct. Rebreathing in a sealed space causes hypoxia and hypercapnia.
D. Closure of the nose and mouth by an assailant
Smothering needs hand or object closure of the nose and mouth.

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 C, Progressive fall in oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide in the sealed space. In environmental or entrapment suffocation, a person in a sealed or poorly ventilated space such as a refrigerator, trunk or silo rebreathes air, so oxygen falls and carbon dioxide rises until asphyxia.

Why is "Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body" not the answer?

No foreign body in the airway is described.

Why is "Compression of the chest by external weight" not the answer?

No external compression occurred.

Why is "Closure of the nose and mouth by an assailant" not the answer?

Smothering needs hand or object closure of the nose and mouth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: environmental suffocation in Forensic Medicine. Findings are non-specific. The scene explains death.

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: environmental suffocation?

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.