Injuries and wounds: fall from height: 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: fall from height

Sample item

A labourer falls from the fourth floor of a building and lands on both feet. He is unable to bear weight and has back pain. Which fracture is most typically associated with this mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bilateral calcaneal fractures

A fall onto the feet transmits force up the legs, causing bilateral calcaneal fractures often with vertebral compression fractures. This pattern is called the Don Juan or lovers' fracture. A Colles fracture arises from a fall on the outstretched hand.

Option by option

  • A. Fracture of the mandibular symphysis

    A mandibular fracture follows a blow to the chin and is not linked to landing on the feet.

  • B. Bilateral calcaneal fractures (correct)

    Correct. Landing on the feet breaks the calcanei, often with spinal compression.

  • C. Colles fracture of the wrist

    A Colles fracture follows a fall on the outstretched hand, not landing on the feet.

  • D. Fracture of the hyoid bone

    Hyoid fractures are seen in neck compression.

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 B, Bilateral calcaneal fractures. A fall onto the feet transmits force up the legs, causing bilateral calcaneal fractures often with vertebral compression fractures.

Why is "Fracture of the mandibular symphysis" not the answer?

A mandibular fracture follows a blow to the chin and is not linked to landing on the feet.

Why is "Colles fracture of the wrist" not the answer?

A Colles fracture follows a fall on the outstretched hand, not landing on the feet.

Why is "Fracture of the hyoid bone" not the answer?

Hyoid fractures are seen in neck compression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries and wounds: fall from height in Forensic Medicine. This pattern is called the Don Juan or lovers' fracture. A Colles fracture arises from a fall on the outstretched hand.

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 and wounds: fall from height?

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.