Injuries and wounds: scald from forced immersion: 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 and wounds: scald from forced immersion

Sample item

A 2-year-old has sharply demarcated, uniform-depth burns of both feet and the buttocks in a stocking pattern. A sparing of the central buttocks is noted where the skin was pressed against the cool tub base. The history is that he fell into the bath. What does this pattern suggest?

AA sunburn from a day in the openBForced immersion in hot water, which raises the suspicion of abuseCA dry heat burn from touching a radiatorDAn accidental splash from a falling kettle

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Forced immersion in hot water, which raises the suspicion of abuse

Symmetrical stocking-and-glove or buttock burns of uniform depth with sharp margins, and a sparing of skin pressed against the cool surface, point to forced immersion in hot water. A splash or spill gives irregular, arrow-shaped marks with variable depth, often with trailing drip marks. The pattern needs child protection review.

Option by option

A. A sunburn from a day in the open
Sunburn does not produce sharp, stocking-shaped margins confined to the feet and buttocks.
B. Forced immersion in hot water, which raises the suspicion of abuse (correct)
Correct. Symmetrical, sharply demarcated burns with sparing under the buttocks indicate held immersion.
C. A dry heat burn from touching a radiator
A radiator causes a patterned contact burn of a single area, not symmetrical stocking burns.
D. An accidental splash from a falling kettle
A kettle spill gives irregular marks of varying depth, mainly on the upper body.

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, Forced immersion in hot water, which raises the suspicion of abuse. Symmetrical stocking-and-glove or buttock burns of uniform depth with sharp margins, and a sparing of skin pressed against the cool surface, point to forced immersion in hot water.

Why is "A sunburn from a day in the open" not the answer?

Sunburn does not produce sharp, stocking-shaped margins confined to the feet and buttocks.

Why is "A dry heat burn from touching a radiator" not the answer?

A radiator causes a patterned contact burn of a single area, not symmetrical stocking burns.

Why is "An accidental splash from a falling kettle" not the answer?

A kettle spill gives irregular marks of varying depth, mainly on the upper body.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries and wounds: scald from forced immersion in Forensic Medicine. A splash or spill gives irregular, arrow-shaped marks with variable depth, often with trailing drip marks. The pattern needs child protection review.

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 and wounds: scald from forced immersion?

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.