Stiffness in the body that occurs after 2 to 4 hrs after death is called?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Rigor mortis is the medical term for the stiffening of the body's muscles that occurs after death.
This process begins approximately 2 to 4 hours post-mortem, which matches the timeframe given in the question.
The underlying cause is the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in muscle cells. Without ATP, the myosin heads cannot detach from actin filaments, causing the muscles to become rigid.
The stiffness typically peaks around 12 hours and then gradually subsides as muscle proteins start to decompose.

Option A: Livor mortis refers to the discoloration of the skin, not muscle stiffness. It is caused by the gravitational settling of blood in the dependent parts of the body after circulation has stopped.
Option B: Algor mortis is the process of the body cooling down to the temperature of its surroundings. It is a change in temperature, not muscle stiffness.
Option C: 'Stiff mortis' is not a recognized medical or forensic term. It is a fabricated option designed to sound plausible but is incorrect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Post-mortem physiological changes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate identification and documentation of post-mortem signs like rigor mortis are essential nursing responsibilities in determining the time of death, which has legal and forensic implications.
Understanding the timeline of these changes helps in providing compassionate and appropriate post-mortem care, such as positioning the body before rigor mortis fully sets in.
What if? If a body is found in a very warm environment, the onset and progression of rigor mortis would be accelerated, which must be factored into any estimation of the post-mortem interval.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptor in the question, which is 'stiffness'.
Next, recall the specific medical terms for the primary post-mortem changes.
Associate 'Rigor' with rigidity or stiffness.
Associate 'Livor' with lividity or color, referring to the discoloration from blood pooling.
Associate 'Algor' with coldness, referring to the body cooling.
Eliminate 'Stiff mortis' as it is not a standard medical term.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 946-948, 951-953

Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.