The stiffening of the body that occurs after 2 to 4 hours of death is called:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Rigor mortis is the medical term for the stiffening of the body's muscles that occurs after death.
It typically begins 2 to 4 hours post-mortem, matching the timeframe given in the question.
The underlying cause is the depletion of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in muscle cells, which is necessary for muscle fibers to relax.
Without ATP, actin and myosin filaments remain locked together, causing the muscles to become rigid.

Option A: This is a general Latin term meaning 'after death'. It refers to the entire period following death or an examination done after death (post-mortem examination), not a specific physiological change like stiffening.
Option C: This refers to the discoloration of the skin, not stiffening. It is caused by the settling of blood in the dependent parts of the body due to gravity after circulation ceases.
Option D: This refers to the cooling of the body after death. The body's temperature gradually drops until it matches the ambient temperature.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Physiological changes after death as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must understand post-mortem changes to provide respectful and appropriate care to the deceased, including positioning the body before rigor mortis sets in to create a more natural appearance for family viewing.
Knowledge of these stages is fundamental in forensic nursing and medicine, as the presence and state of rigor, livor, and algor mortis can help estimate the time of death.
What if? If a body is found in a very cold environment, the onset of rigor mortis will be slower, and it will last longer. Conversely, in a hot environment, rigor mortis will set in faster and resolve more quickly due to accelerated chemical processes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptive phrase in the question: 'stiffening of the body'.
Next, note the specific timeframe provided: '2 to 4 hours of death'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of forensic and medical terminology.
Mentally define each of the options provided: Post-mortem (after death), Rigor mortis (stiffness), Liver/Livor mortis (discoloration/pooling of blood), Algor mortis (cooling).
Match the key phrase 'stiffening of the body' with its correct medical term, which is 'Rigor mortis'. The timeframe provided further confirms this choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 946-948

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