Injuries: 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 · Injuries

Sample item

A bluish discoloured area is seen on the back of a body. Which finding on incision and washing indicates a bruise rather than post-mortem hypostasis?

ADiscolouration confined to dependent parts that blanches on pressure in the early stageBAbsence of any swelling of the areaCBlood infiltrated into the tissues that cannot be washed awayDBlood confined within dilated vessels that washes away easily

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Blood infiltrated into the tissues that cannot be washed away

A bruise is due to extravasation of blood into tissue, so incision shows infiltrated blood that remains after washing, often with swelling. Hypostasis is blood settled in vessels of dependent parts, which washes away and blanches in early stages.

Option by option

A. Discolouration confined to dependent parts that blanches on pressure in the early stage
Confinement to dependent parts with blanching describes hypostasis.
B. Absence of any swelling of the area
Lack of swelling favours hypostasis, since a bruise is often accompanied by swelling.
C. Blood infiltrated into the tissues that cannot be washed away (correct)
Correct. Extravasated, infiltrated blood is the hallmark of ante-mortem bruising.
D. Blood confined within dilated vessels that washes away easily
Blood confined to vessels that rinses away is the finding in hypostasis.

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 C, Blood infiltrated into the tissues that cannot be washed away. A bruise is due to extravasation of blood into tissue, so incision shows infiltrated blood that remains after washing, often with swelling.

Why is "Discolouration confined to dependent parts that blanches on pressure…" not the answer?

Confinement to dependent parts with blanching describes hypostasis.

Why is "Absence of any swelling of the area" not the answer?

Lack of swelling favours hypostasis, since a bruise is often accompanied by swelling.

Why is "Blood confined within dilated vessels that washes away easily" not the answer?

Blood confined to vessels that rinses away is the finding in hypostasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries in Forensic Medicine. Hypostasis is blood settled in vessels of dependent parts, which washes away and blanches in early stages.

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 Injuries?

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.