5. The Autopsy

Question 1

5 Reasons for hospital autopsy

Answer 1

Thorough examination
Audit
Monitor effectiveness of new treatment
Teaching
Research

Question 2

Why is Coroners autopsy conducted?

Answer 2

To establish cause of death

Question 3

Consent and Hospital autopsy

Answer 3

Consent must be obtained

Any material can be taken

Question 4

Consent and Coroners autopsy

Answer 4

No consent required

Material only taken if bears upon cause of death

Question 5

Death certificate format

Answer 5

1a Immediate cause
1b Predisposing factor
1c Predisposing factor
2 Other contributing factors

Question 6

What is it impossible to die without?

Answer 6

1a

Question 7

4 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- cardiovascular

Answer 7

Coronary artery disease
Hypertensive heart disease
Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis

Question 8

Common causes of sudden unexpected death- Vascular

Answer 8

Ruptured Aortic Aneurism

Question 9

2 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- Respiratory

Answer 9

Pulmonary embolus

Asthma

Question 10

3 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- CNS

Answer 10

Non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage
Intracerebral haemorrhage
Epilepsy

Question 11

3 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- GIT

Answer 11

Bleeding Oesophageal Varices
Bleeding Ulcers
Pancreatitis

Question 12

3 Other causes of sudden unexpected death

Answer 12

Drugs
Alcohol
Trauma

Question 13

5 Types of injury

Answer 13

Bruise
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Stab

Question 14

Bruise

Answer 14

Blunt trauma injury

Collection of blood leaking from damaged vessel (NOT CAPILLARIES)

Question 15

Abrasion

Answer 15

Graze or scratch

On epidermis

Question 16

Laceration

Answer 16

Split to skin due to blunt force trauma

Question 17

Cut

Answer 17

Split in skin = longer than it is deep

Question 18

Stab

Answer 18

Split in skin= deeper than it is long

Question 19

11 Cases that must be reported to Coroner

Answer 19

COD unknown
Deceased not been seen by DR after/ 14 days before death
Death was violent, unnatural or suspicious
Death may be due to an accident
Death may be due to neglect
Death may be due to industrial disease/ employment
Death may be due to abortion
Death occurred during operation/ under anaesthetic
Death may be due to suicide
Death occurred during/ just after police/ prison custody
Death may be related to poisoning