Toxicology: 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 · Toxicology

Sample item

Cherry-red post-mortem lividity is classically associated with poisoning by which agent?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Carbon monoxide

Carboxyhaemoglobin is bright cherry red, so lividity and tissues look pink. Nitrites form methaemoglobin and give a chocolate-brown colour. Hydrogen sulphide gives a greenish tinge.

Option by option

  • A. Opium

    Opium poisoning does not give a characteristic lividity colour.

  • B. Carbon monoxide (correct)

    Correct. Carboxyhaemoglobin colours the hypostasis bright red.

  • C. Phosphorus

    Phosphorus poisoning causes liver damage and a garlic odour, not cherry-red lividity.

  • D. Nitrites

    Nitrites cause methaemoglobinaemia, giving chocolate-brown discolouration.

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 B, Carbon monoxide. Carboxyhaemoglobin is bright cherry red, so lividity and tissues look pink.

Why is "Opium" not the answer?

Opium poisoning does not give a characteristic lividity colour.

Why is "Phosphorus" not the answer?

Phosphorus poisoning causes liver damage and a garlic odour, not cherry-red lividity.

Why is "Nitrites" not the answer?

Nitrites cause methaemoglobinaemia, giving chocolate-brown discolouration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology in Forensic Medicine. Nitrites form methaemoglobin and give a chocolate-brown colour. Hydrogen sulphide gives a greenish tinge.

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 Toxicology?

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.