Asphyxial deaths: dry drowning: 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 · Asphyxial deaths: dry drowning

Sample item

A man pulled from a swimming pool shows cyanosis and signs of asphyxia, yet the lungs contain very little water and the stomach is nearly empty. What is the most likely mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Laryngospasm triggered by water entering the larynx

In about 10 to 15% of drowning deaths, water contact with the larynx causes reflex laryngospasm, sealing the airway so that death occurs from asphyxia with little water in the lungs. This is called dry drowning. Features include asphyxial signs without frothy, waterlogged lungs.

Option by option

  • A. Osmotic pulmonary oedema from sea water

    Sea water oedema needs aspiration of hypertonic water and wet lungs.

  • B. Massive fresh water absorption through the alveoli

    Alveolar absorption requires a considerable volume of water in the lungs.

  • C. Laryngospasm triggered by water entering the larynx (correct)

    Correct. A sealed airway leads to asphyxia with minimal aspiration.

  • D. Delayed ARDS after surfactant loss

    ARDS develops over hours in survivors and is not the mechanism at the scene.

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.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Laryngospasm triggered by water entering the larynx. In about 10 to 15% of drowning deaths, water contact with the larynx causes reflex laryngospasm, sealing the airway so that death occurs from asphyxia with little water in the lungs.

Why is "Osmotic pulmonary oedema from sea water" not the answer?

Sea water oedema needs aspiration of hypertonic water and wet lungs.

Why is "Massive fresh water absorption through the alveoli" not the answer?

Alveolar absorption requires a considerable volume of water in the lungs.

Why is "Delayed ARDS after surfactant loss" not the answer?

ARDS develops over hours in survivors and is not the mechanism at the scene.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: dry drowning in Forensic Medicine. This is called dry drowning. Features include asphyxial signs without frothy, waterlogged lungs.

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 Asphyxial deaths: dry drowning?

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.