Clinical scenario questions for Forensic Medicine

By | August 3, 2023

 

1. A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He was driving under the influence of alcohol and has multiple injuries. Upon examination, he has petechial hemorrhages in the conjunctivae and skin. What is the most likely cause of these findings?
a) Traumatic asphyxia
b) Blunt force trauma
c) Head injury
d) Drowning
e) Homicide

2. A 30-year-old woman is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals the presence of cyanide poisoning. Which of the following features is most characteristic of cyanide poisoning?
a) Cherry-red discoloration of the skin
b) Frothy secretions in the airways
c) Pinpoint pupils
d) Punctate hemorrhages in the conjunctivae
e) Widened pulse pressure

3. A 60-year-old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals a ruptured berry aneurysm in the circle of Willis. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Hemorrhagic stroke
b) Ischemic stroke
c) Myocardial infarction
d) Pulmonary embolism
e) Sepsis

4. A 40-year-old woman is found dead in her bed. There are no signs of external injury or struggle. The postmortem examination reveals pulmonary emboli as the cause of death. Which of the following conditions is most likely to be associated with the development of these pulmonary emboli?
a) Deep vein thrombosis
b) Pneumonia
c) Myocardial infarction
d) Aortic dissection
e) Acute pancreatitis

5. A 28-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after being shot in the chest during an altercation. On examination, he has a single gunshot wound to the left chest, and the entrance wound has a surrounding abrasion collar. What type of firearm is most likely responsible for this injury?
a) Revolver
b) Semi-automatic pistol
c) Shotgun
d) Rifle
e) Machine gun

6. A 35-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse is found dead in an alleyway. The postmortem examination reveals fatty degeneration and enlargement of the liver. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute alcohol poisoning
b) Acute pancreatitis
c) Alcoholic ketoacidosis
d) Alcoholic liver cirrhosis
e) Alcoholic hallucinosis

7. A 50-year-old woman with a history of depression is found dead in her home. The postmortem examination reveals serotonergic syndrome. Which of the following medications is most likely responsible for this syndrome?
a) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
b) Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
c) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
d) Benzodiazepine
e) Antipsychotic

8. A 20-year-old woman is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals multiple contusions, abrasions, and fractures of different ages. There is evidence of healing in some injuries. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these findings?
a) Non-accidental trauma (child abuse)
b) Intimate partner violence
c) Elder abuse
d) Occupational injury
e) Falls

9. A 65-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is found dead in his home. The postmortem examination reveals emphysematous changes in the lungs and right-sided heart failure. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute exacerbation of COPD
b) Pneumonia
c) Pulmonary embolism
d) Chronic bronchitis
e) Lung cancer

10. A 45-year-old woman is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals a large intracerebral hemorrhage. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this hemorrhage?
a) Hypertensive crisis
b) Head trauma
c) Cerebral aneurysm rupture
d) Ischemic stroke
e) Thrombocytopenia

11. A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. He is unconscious and has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6. The postmortem examination reveals a subdural hematoma. What is the most likely cause of this hematoma?
a) Skull fracture
b) Epidural hemorrhage
c) Contrecoup injury
d) Ruptured aneurysm
e) Diffuse axonal injury

12. A 55-year-old man is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals multiple fractured ribs and a laceration of the liver. Which of the following is the most likely

cause of death?
a) Blunt force trauma to the abdomen
b) Blunt force trauma to the head
c) Gunshot wound
d) Stab wound
e) Asphyxiation

13. A 20-year-old woman is found dead in her room. The postmortem examination reveals a ruptured spleen and multiple bruises on the abdomen and back. The toxicology report indicates the presence of alcohol and benzodiazepines in her blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Accidental overdose
b) Homicide
c) Suicide
d) Natural causes
e) Undetermined

14. A 35-year-old man is found dead in a hotel room. The postmortem examination reveals a large, irregular-shaped ulcer in the stomach. The toxicology report indicates the presence of aspirin in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute gastritis
b) Gastric perforation
c) Gastric carcinoma
d) Duodenal ulcer perforation
e) Aspiration pneumonia

15. A 45-year-old woman with a history of alcohol abuse is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals acute pancreatitis. Which of the following is the most likely cause of acute pancreatitis in this patient?
a) Alcohol-induced
b) Gallstone-induced
c) Hypertriglyceridemia-induced
d) Drug-induced
e) Autoimmune-induced

16. A 28-year-old man is found dead in an abandoned building. The postmortem examination reveals puncture marks on his body and a syringe nearby. Toxicology results show the presence of opioids in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Heroin overdose
b) Cocaine overdose
c) Benzodiazepine overdose
d) Amphetamine overdose
e) Marijuana overdose

17. A 60-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals cardiomegaly and dilated heart chambers. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute myocardial infarction
b) Pulmonary embolism
c) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
d) Sudden cardiac arrest
e) Hypertensive crisis

18. A 35-year-old man is found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to the head. The postmortem examination reveals a gunshot entrance wound with no exit wound. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Suicide
b) Homicide
c) Accidental shooting
d) Self-defense
e) Undetermined

19. A 28-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after being sexually assaulted. On examination, there are multiple superficial lacerations and abrasions on her body. Which of the following is the most appropriate step in managing this patient?
a) Perform a rape kit examination
b) Start prophylactic antibiotics
c) Offer emergency contraception
d) Provide psychological support and counseling
e) Notify law enforcement

20. A 50-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals fatty liver changes and Mallory bodies. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Alcoholic liver cirrhosis
b) Acute pancreatitis
c) Alcohol-induced hepatitis
d) Hepatocellular carcinoma
e) Hepatic encephalopathy

21. A 30-year-old woman is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals multiple stab wounds on her neck, chest, and abdomen. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Asphyxiation
b) Exsanguination
c) Cardiac arrest
d) Neurogenic shock
e) Sepsis

22. A 40-year-old man with a history of chronic alcohol abuse is found dead in an alleyway. The postmortem examination reveals dilated cardiomyopathy. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Myocardial infarction
b) Ventricular arrhythmia
c) Pulmonary embolism
d) Sudden cardiac arrest
e) Hypertensive crisis

23. A 25-year-old woman with a history of depression is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals serotonin syndrome. Which of the following medications is most likely responsible for this syndrome?
a) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
b) Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
c) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
d) Benzodiazepine
e) Antipsychotic

24. A 35-year-old man is found dead in a hotel room. The postmortem examination reveals a large, irregular-shaped ulcer in the stomach. The toxicology report indicates the presence of aspirin in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute gastritis
b) Gastric perforation
c) Gastric carcinoma
d) Duodenal ulcer perforation
e) Aspiration pneumonia

25. A 45-year-old woman with a history of alcohol abuse is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals acute pancreatitis. Which of the following is the most likely cause of acute pancreatitis in this patient?
a) Alcohol-induced
b) Gallstone-induced
c) Hypertriglyceridemia-induced
d) Drug-induced
e) Autoimmune-induced

26. A 28-year-old man is found dead in an abandoned building. The postmortem examination reveals puncture marks on his body and a syringe nearby. Toxicology results show the presence of opioids in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Heroin overdose
b) Cocaine overdose
c) Benzodiazepine overdose
d) Amphetamine overdose
e) Marijuana overdose

27. A 60-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals cardiomegaly and dilated heart chambers. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute myocardial infar

ction
b) Pulmonary embolism
c) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
d) Sudden cardiac arrest
e) Hypertensive crisis

28. A 35-year-old man is found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to the head. The postmortem examination reveals a gunshot entrance wound with no exit wound. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Suicide
b) Homicide
c) Accidental shooting
d) Self-defense
e) Undetermined

29. A 28-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after being sexually assaulted. On examination, there are multiple superficial lacerations and abrasions on her body. Which of the following is the most appropriate step in managing this patient?
a) Perform a rape kit examination
b) Start prophylactic antibiotics
c) Offer emergency contraception
d) Provide psychological support and counseling
e) Notify law enforcement

30. A 50-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals fatty liver changes and Mallory bodies. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Alcoholic liver cirrhosis
b) Acute pancreatitis
c) Alcohol-induced hepatitis
d) Hepatocellular carcinoma
e) Hepatic encephalopathy

31. A 30-year-old woman is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals multiple stab wounds on her neck, chest, and abdomen. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Asphyxiation
b) Exsanguination
c) Cardiac arrest
d) Neurogenic shock
e) Sepsis

32. A 40-year-old man with a history of chronic alcohol abuse is found dead in an alleyway. The postmortem examination reveals dilated cardiomyopathy. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Myocardial infarction
b) Ventricular arrhythmia
c) Pulmonary embolism
d) Sudden cardiac arrest
e) Hypertensive crisis

33. A 25-year-old woman with a history of depression is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals serotonin syndrome. Which of the following medications is most likely responsible for this syndrome?
a) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
b) Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
c) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
d) Benzodiazepine
e) Antipsychotic

34. A 35-year-old man is found dead in a hotel room. The postmortem examination reveals a large, irregular-shaped ulcer in the stomach. The toxicology report indicates the presence of aspirin in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute gastritis
b) Gastric perforation
c) Gastric carcinoma
d) Duodenal ulcer perforation
e) Aspiration pneumonia

35. A 45-year-old woman with a history of alcohol abuse is found dead in her apartment. The postmortem examination reveals acute pancreatitis. Which of the following is the most likely cause of acute pancreatitis in this patient?
a) Alcohol-induced
b) Gallstone-induced
c) Hypertriglyceridemia-induced
d) Drug-induced
e) Autoimmune-induced

36. A 28-year-old man is found dead in an abandoned building. The postmortem examination reveals puncture marks on his body and a syringe nearby. Toxicology results show the presence of opioids in his blood. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Heroin overdose
b) Cocaine overdose
c) Benzodiazepine overdose
d) Amphetamine overdose
e) Marijuana overdose

37. A 60-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure is found dead at home. The postmortem examination reveals cardiomegaly and dilated heart chambers. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
a) Acute myocardial infarction
b) Pulmonary embolism
c) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
d) Sudden cardiac arrest
e) Hypertensive crisis

38. A 35-year-old man is found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to the head. The postmortem examination reveals a gunshot entrance wound with no exit wound. What is the most likely cause of death?
a) Suicide
b) Homicide
c) Accidental shooting
d) Self-defense
e) Undetermined

39. A 28-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after being sexually assaulted. On examination, there are multiple superficial lacerations and abrasions on her body. Which of the following is the most appropriate step in managing this patient?
a) Perform a rape kit examination
b) Start prophylactic antibiotics
c) Offer emergency contraception
d) Provide psychological support and counseling
e) Notify law enforcement