Which of the following best describes the bloat stage?

• A. Front of the body swells, tongue protrudes, gases blister the skin, fluids leak from the lungs, and a strong odor is produced
• B. Body becomes completely desiccated
• C. Rigor mortis becomes more pronounced
• D. The body cools to ambient temperature

Answer: (B)

Bloat stage is when bacteria breaking down tissues produce gases, causing the body to inflate. This swelling can be most noticeable in the face and abdomen, the tongue may protrude, gases can blister the skin, fluids may leak from the lungs or other openings, and a strong odor from putrefaction is common. Desiccation describes drying of tissues in later stages, rigor mortis is the stiffening that occurs earlier and then passes, and cooling is algor mortis, the initial drop in body temperature after death. So the description of swelling with gas production, skin changes, leakage, and a strong odor best matches the bloat stage.