Injuries: Puppe's rule: 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: Puppe's rule

Sample item

A skull shows two linear fractures. Fracture line B stops where it meets fracture line A. According to Puppe's rule, what is the sequence?

AThe sequence can never be determined by fracture linesBA was produced first and B laterCBoth were produced simultaneously by one blowDB was produced first and A later

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. A was produced first and B later

Puppe's rule states that when multiple fracture lines are present, a later fracture line terminates at the earlier one because the earlier fracture relieves the stress in the bone. It helps establish the order of multiple blows and sometimes which impact was first.

Option by option

A. The sequence can never be determined by fracture lines
The rule makes the sequence determinable in many cases.
B. A was produced first and B later (correct)
Correct. The line that ends at another is the later fracture.
C. Both were produced simultaneously by one blow
Simultaneous fractures would cross or radiate from a single impact point.
D. B was produced first and A later
The reverse would imply that A stopped at B.

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 B, A was produced first and B later. Puppe's rule states that when multiple fracture lines are present, a later fracture line terminates at the earlier one because the earlier fracture relieves the stress in the bone.

Why is "The sequence can never be determined by fracture lines" not the answer?

The rule makes the sequence determinable in many cases.

Why is "Both were produced simultaneously by one blow" not the answer?

Simultaneous fractures would cross or radiate from a single impact point.

Why is "B was produced first and A later" not the answer?

The reverse would imply that A stopped at B.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries: Puppe's rule in Forensic Medicine. It helps establish the order of multiple blows and sometimes which impact was first.

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 Injuries: Puppe's rule?

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.