Asphyxia: choking: 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: choking

Sample item

An intoxicated man collapses suddenly during a restaurant meal, becomes cyanosed and dies before reaching hospital. It was initially thought to be a heart attack. Autopsy is most likely to show:

AFracture of the hyoid boneBOcclusion of the left anterior descending arteryCA ruptured berry aneurysmDA bolus of food lodged in the laryngopharynx or larynx

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A bolus of food lodged in the laryngopharynx or larynx

A food bolus obstructing the laryngopharynx in a person with impaired swallowing reflexes (alcohol, dentures, neurological disease) causes sudden asphyxia that mimics a cardiac event, sometimes called cafe coronary. Autopsy is needed to find the bolus.

Option by option

A. Fracture of the hyoid bone
Hyoid fracture suggests neck compression, not eating.
B. Occlusion of the left anterior descending artery
Coronary occlusion would be a true heart attack, not an impaired-swallow event.
C. A ruptured berry aneurysm
A berry aneurysm presents with a sudden headache and subarachnoid bleed.
D. A bolus of food lodged in the laryngopharynx or larynx (correct)
Correct. Sudden collapse while eating suggests a bolus obstructing the airway.

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 D, A bolus of food lodged in the laryngopharynx or larynx. A food bolus obstructing the laryngopharynx in a person with impaired swallowing reflexes (alcohol, dentures, neurological disease) causes sudden asphyxia that mimics a cardiac event, sometimes called cafe coronary.

Why is "Fracture of the hyoid bone" not the answer?

Hyoid fracture suggests neck compression, not eating.

Why is "Occlusion of the left anterior descending artery" not the answer?

Coronary occlusion would be a true heart attack, not an impaired-swallow event.

Why is "A ruptured berry aneurysm" not the answer?

A berry aneurysm presents with a sudden headache and subarachnoid bleed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxia: choking in Forensic Medicine. Autopsy is needed to find the bolus.

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: choking?

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.