Asphyxia: drowning lung 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Asphyxia: drowning lung changes

Sample item

At autopsy of a drowned man the lungs are bulky, overlap the heart, feel doughy and pit on pressure. Pale bluish subpleural patches are seen. These patches are called:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Paltauf's haemorrhages

In drowning, over-distension of the lungs (emphysema aquosum) produces large, pale, ill-defined subpleural haemorrhages known as Paltauf's haemorrhages, which are due to rupture of alveolar walls. They are a supportive, not a specific, finding.

Option by option

  • A. Paltauf's haemorrhages (correct)

    Correct. Paltauf's haemorrhages are subpleural patches in drowning.

  • B. Simon's haemorrhages

    Simon's haemorrhages are in the intervertebral discs and ligaments in hanging.

  • C. Wischnewski spots

    Wischnewski spots are gastric erosions seen in hypothermia.

  • D. Tardieu spots

    Tardieu spots are small petechiae on serosal surfaces in asphyxia generally, not large pale patches.

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 A, Paltauf's haemorrhages. In drowning, over-distension of the lungs (emphysema aquosum) produces large, pale, ill-defined subpleural haemorrhages known as Paltauf's haemorrhages, which are due to rupture of alveolar walls.

Why is "Simon's haemorrhages" not the answer?

Simon's haemorrhages are in the intervertebral discs and ligaments in hanging.

Why is "Wischnewski spots" not the answer?

Wischnewski spots are gastric erosions seen in hypothermia.

Why is "Tardieu spots" not the answer?

Tardieu spots are small petechiae on serosal surfaces in asphyxia generally, not large pale patches.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxia: drowning lung changes in Forensic Medicine. They are a supportive, not a specific, finding.

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: drowning lung 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.