Thanatology: resuscitation artefacts: 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 · Thanatology: resuscitation artefacts

Sample item

An elderly man dies despite 25 minutes of vigorous chest compressions. At autopsy there are fractures of several anterior ribs along the midclavicular line with no bruising or haemorrhage around the fracture ends. What is the best interpretation?

AFractures produced by resuscitation, since there is no vital reactionBPost-mortem fractures from transport of the bodyCAnte-mortem blunt chest trauma from assaultDPathological fractures from bone metastases

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Fractures produced by resuscitation, since there is no vital reaction

Rib fractures at the anterior chest are common after CPR. They lack the haemorrhage and tissue reaction of injuries sustained in life because circulation was only artificially maintained. Interpret them with the history of resuscitation to avoid suspecting assault.

Option by option

A. Fractures produced by resuscitation, since there is no vital reaction (correct)
Correct. Anterior rib fractures with minimal haemorrhage after CPR are a resuscitation artefact.
B. Post-mortem fractures from transport of the body
Transport fractures are rare and are not the usual explanation for anterior rib fractures after CPR.
C. Ante-mortem blunt chest trauma from assault
Assault injuries in life would show extensive bruising and haemorrhage around the fractures.
D. Pathological fractures from bone metastases
Pathological fractures show diseased bone, which the question does not describe.

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 A, Fractures produced by resuscitation, since there is no vital reaction. Rib fractures at the anterior chest are common after CPR.

Why is "Post-mortem fractures from transport of the body" not the answer?

Transport fractures are rare and are not the usual explanation for anterior rib fractures after CPR.

Why is "Ante-mortem blunt chest trauma from assault" not the answer?

Assault injuries in life would show extensive bruising and haemorrhage around the fractures.

Why is "Pathological fractures from bone metastases" not the answer?

Pathological fractures show diseased bone, which the question does not describe.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: resuscitation artefacts in Forensic Medicine. They lack the haemorrhage and tissue reaction of injuries sustained in life because circulation was only artificially maintained. Interpret them with the history of resuscitation to avoid suspecting assault.

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 Thanatology: resuscitation artefacts?

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.