Asphyxia: dry drowning: 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 · Asphyxia: dry drowning

Sample item

A child jumps into a cold pond and is dead within a minute. At autopsy, the lungs contain very little water and there is no froth. Which mechanism best explains the death?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Laryngeal spasm on sudden contact with water, causing little aspiration

In dry drowning, laryngospasm or reflex cardiac inhibition after sudden immersion leads to death with little or no water in the airways. It accounts for around a tenth of drownings. Sudden cold water on the face can also cause vagal arrest.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary embolism

    Pulmonary embolism is not suggested by the history or findings.

  • B. Rupture of the diaphragm

    Diaphragm rupture is unrelated to immersion.

  • C. Laryngeal spasm on sudden contact with water, causing little aspiration (correct)

    Correct. Laryngospasm explains the dry lungs and rapid death.

  • D. Large volume aspiration with haemodilution

    Large aspiration characterises wet drowning and would leave water-logged lungs.

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 C, Laryngeal spasm on sudden contact with water, causing little aspiration. In dry drowning, laryngospasm or reflex cardiac inhibition after sudden immersion leads to death with little or no water in the airways.

Why is "Pulmonary embolism" not the answer?

Pulmonary embolism is not suggested by the history or findings.

Why is "Rupture of the diaphragm" not the answer?

Diaphragm rupture is unrelated to immersion.

Why is "Large volume aspiration with haemodilution" not the answer?

Large aspiration characterises wet drowning and would leave water-logged lungs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxia: dry drowning in Forensic Medicine. It accounts for around a tenth of drownings. Sudden cold water on the face can also cause vagal arrest.

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 Asphyxia: dry drowning?

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.