Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

CDI 2 > Death > Flashcards

Death Flashcards

1
Q

• It is the termination of life.
• It is the complete cessation of all the vital functions without possibility of resuscitation.
• It is an irreversible loss of the properties of living matter.

A

Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Kinds of Death

A
  1. Somatic Death or Clinical Death
  2. Molecular or Cellular Death
  3. Apparent Death or State of Suspended Animation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

This is the state of the body in which there is complete, persistent and continuous cessation of the vital functions of the brain, heart and lungs which maintain life and health. It occurs the moment a physician or the other members of the family declare a person has expired, and some of the early signs of death are present. It is hardly possible to determine the exact time of death.

A

Somatic Death or Clinical Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Somatic or Clinical Types of Death

A

i. Sociological Death
ii. Psychic Death
iii. Biologic Death
iv. Physiologic Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Type of death wherein withdrawal and separation from the patient by others producing a sense of isolation and abandonment, unvisited and let alone to die.

A

i. Sociological Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Condition of death wherein the patient regresses, gives up or surrenders accepting death prematurely and refuses to continue living.

A

ii. Psychic Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Type of death characterized by the absence of cognitive function or awareness, although artificial support system may maintain organs functioning.

A

iii. Biologic Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Type of death when all vital organs cease to function. (Leal, 2014 & Lagonera,
2010)

A

iv. Physiologic Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

After cessation of the vital functions of the body there is still animal life among individual cells.
After somatic death occurs there is death of all individual cells like nerve and brain cells within the body. This is known as molecular or cellular death. Its exact occurrence cannot be definitely ascertained because its time of appearance is influenced by several factors like previous state of health, infection, climatic condition, cellular nutrition, etc.

A

Molecular or Cellular Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

This condition is not really death but merely a transient loss of the vital functions of the body on account of disease, external stimulus, or other forms of influence. It may arise especially hysteria, uremia, catalepsy, and electric shock. It is important to determine the condition of suspended animation to prevent premature burial. There are records of cases wherein a person was pronounced dead, placed in a coffin, and later angrily rise from it and walk unaided. The relative has sent death notice and placed wreaths near his coffin (Daily Mail England, 1948).

A

Apparent Death or State of Suspended Animation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Methods of Detecting the Cessation of Heart Action and Circulation

A

a. Examination of the Heart
Examination of the Peripheral Circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Examination of the Heart

A

Palpation of the Pulse
Auscultation for the Heart Sound at the Precordial Area
Fluoroscopic Examination
By the Use of Electrocardiograph

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Pulsation of the peripheral blood vessels may be made at the region of the wrist or at the neck. The pulsation of the vessels is synchronous with the heartbeat. Occasionally the pulsation is very imperceptible and irregular that the examiner experiences much difficulty.

A

Palpation of the Pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart is audible through the stethoscope. Heart sound can be audible during life even without the aid of a stethoscope by placing the ear at the precordial area.

A

Auscultation for the Heart Sound at the Precordial Area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

reveal the shadow of the heart in its rhythmic contraction and relaxation. The shadow may be enlarged, and the excursion made less visible due to pericardial effusion.

A

Fluoroscopic Examination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

The heartbeat is accompanied by the passage of electrical charge through the impulse conducting system of the heart which may be recorded in an electrocardiograph machine. The electrocardiograph will record the heart beat even if it is too weak to be heard by auscultation. This is the best method of determining heart action but quite impractical.

A

By the Use of Electrocardiograph

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Examination of the Peripheral Circulation

A

Magnus’ Test
Opening of Small Artery
Icard’s Test
Pressure on the Fingernails
Diaphanous Test
Application of Heat on the Skin
Palpation of the Radial Pulse with Fingers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

• A ligature is applied around the base of a finger with moderate tightness.
• In a living person there appears a bloodless zone at the site of the application of the ligature and a livid area distal to the ligature.
• If the ligature is applied to the finger of a dead man, there is no such change in color.

A

Magnus’ Test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

• Living: the blood escapes in jerk and at a distance.
• Dead: the blood vessel is white and there is no jerking escape of blood but may only ooze towards the nearby skin.

A

Opening of Small Artery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

• This consists of the injection of a solution of fluorescein subcutaneously.
• If circulation is still present, the dye will spread all over the body and the whole skin will have a gleenish-yellow discoloration due to flourescein.
Take Note: This test should be applied only with the use of the daylight as the color is difficult to be appreciated with the use of artificial light.

A

Icard’s Test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

• lf pressure is applied on the fingernails of a living person intermittently, there will be a zone of paleness at the site of the application of pressure which become livid on release.
• There will be no such change of color if the test is applied to a dead man.

A

Pressure on the Fingernails

22
Q

• If heated material is applied on the skin in the living person, there will be blister formation, congestion, and other vital reactions of the injured area will be observed.
• Dead: will not produce true blister, no sign of congestion, or other vital reactions.

A

Application of Heat on the Skin

23
Q

• The fingers are spread wide and the finger webs are viewed through a strong light. • Living: the finger webs appear red
• Dead: yellow

A

Diaphanous Test

24
Q

Like heart action, cessation of respiration in order to be considered as a sign of death must be continuous and persistent. A person can hold his breath for a period not longer than 3-1/2 minutes. In case of electrical shock, respiration may cease for sometimes but may be restored by continuous artificial respiration.

A

Stoppage of Respiration

25
Q

• Living: will feel the rhythmic pulsation of the vessel due to the flow of blood.
• Dead: No such pulsation will be observed

A

Palpation of the Radial Pulse with Fingers

26
Q

• Living: will feel the rhythmic pulsation of the vessel due to the flow of blood.
• Dead: No such pulsation will be observed

A

Palpation of the Radial Pulse with Fingers

27
Q

There is no movement of the image formed by reflecting artificial or sun light on the water or mercury contained in a saucer and placed on the chest or abdomen if respiration is not taking place. The reflection is utilized to magnify the / movement of the surface of mercury or water.

A

Winslow’s Test

28
Q

Place a glass half full of water at the region of the chest. If the surface of the water is smooth and stable, there is no respiration taking place, but if it waves or water movement is observed, then respiration is taking place.

A

Examination with a Glass of Water

29
Q

The progressive fall of the body temperature is one of the most prominent signs of death. After death, the metabolic process inside the body ceases. Heat production in the body stops and its temperature is lowered gradually to that of the surroundings. The rate of cooling of the body is not uniform. It is rapid during the first two hours after death and as the temperature of the body gradually approaches the temperature of the surroundings, the rate becomes slower.

Take Note: The normal body temperature in a living person is 37°C or 98.3°F but upon death, the temperature gradually decreases. The fall of temperature of 15 to 20°F is considered as a certain sign of death (Lagonera, 2010).

A

Algor Mortis or Cooling of the Body

30
Q

After death, there is complete relaxation of the whole muscular system. The entire muscular system is contractile for three to six hours after death, and later rigidity sets in. Secondary relaxation of the muscles will appear just when decomposition has set in.

A

Changes in the Muscle

31
Q

The Entire Muscular Tissue Passes Three Stages After Death, namely;

A

a. Stage of Primary Flaccidity ((post-mortem muscular irritability)
b. Stage of post-mortem rigidity

32
Q

It is the stiffening of the muscle of the body after death due to chemical changes within the muscle tissue itself. It develops first in the face and jaws (smaller muscles). The rigidity gradually extends downward involving the neck, chest, arms, abdomen and finally the legs and feet. It begins to leave the body and it disappears in the same order that it made its onset, First. The face and neck will again become flaccid and then the other portions of the body will become limp in the same order that the rigidity developed.
In warm countries, this stage sets in from 2-3 hours after death. It is fully developed in the body after 12 hrs. It may last from 18 – 36 hours and its disappearance is concomitant with the onset of putrefaction.

A

Stage of post-mortem rigidity

33
Q

It is the stage of muscular change upon death characterized the relaxation of muscles and loss of their natural tone, so the jaw or head drops down, the thorax collapses and the limbs becomes flaccid and the splinters relax. This is the reason why the dead person may still urinate, defecate or excrete waste product of metabolism through pores on the skin. When muscles are subjected to mechanical or electrical stimuli, the muscles will contract owing to the presence of life of the individual cells. This stage lasts for 3-4 hours after death.

A

Stage of Primary Flaccidity ((post-mortem muscular irritability)

34
Q

Post mortem regidity

A

Rigor Mortis”

35
Q

Conditions Simulating Rigor Mortis

A
  1. Heat Stiffening
  2. Cold Stiffening
  3. Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous Rigor
36
Q

A condition characterized by hardening of the muscles due to coagulation of muscle proteins when the dead body is exposed to intense heat as by burning or immersion in a hot liquid. Heat stiffening is commonly observed when the body of a person is placed in boiling fluid or when the body is burned to death.

A

Heat Stiffening

37
Q

The stiffening of the body may be manifested when the body is frozen, but exposure to warm condition will make such stiffening disappear. The cold stiffening is due to the solidification of fat when the body is exposed to freezing temperature.

A

Cold Stiffening

38
Q

A muscular change characterized by the softness and flaccidity of the muscles in which no longer responses to electrical or mechanical stimuli due to dissolution of the muscle protein that have been previously coagulated during the stage of rigor mortis. This stage is onset of putrefaction (Leal, 2014 & Lagonera, 2010).

A

Relaxation

39
Q

It is the instant stiffening of a certain group of muscles which occurs immediately at the moment of death, although its cause is unknown, it is associated with violent death due to extreme nervous tension and injury to the central nervous system (Leal, 2014 & Lagonera, 2010).
The findings of weapon, hair, pieces of clothing, weeds on the palms of the hands and firmly grasped is a very important medico-legal point in the determination whether it is a case of suicide, murder or homicide. The presence of weeds held by the hands of a person found in water shows that the victim was alive before disposal.

A

Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous Rigor

40
Q

Post Mortem Lividity is also known as

A

Cadaveric Lividity, Post-mortem Suggillation, Post-mortem Hypostasis or Livor Mortis

41
Q

It is a purplish discoloration of the body that occurs on those parts of the body which are nearest the floor. This discoloration is caused by the settling of the blood by gravity into those areas. During life the blood is under pressure and circulating. After death, the pressure falls to zero and the blood begins to settle by gravity so that no matter what the position the body may be in those positions of the body which are lowest will be the areas the blood will settle. Under most conditions this discoloration will begin to be apparent from one to two hours after death.(Montojo,n.d.)

A

What is Post-mortem Lividity?

42
Q

This appears during the later stage of its formation when the blood has coagulated inside the blood vessels or has diffused into the tissues of the body. Any change of position will not change the location of the lividity.

A
  1. Diffusion Lividity
43
Q

The blood merely gravitates into the most dependent portions of the body but still inside the blood vessels and still fluid in form. Any change of position of the body leads to the formation of the lividity in another place. This occurs during the early stage of its formation.

A
  1. Hypostatic Lividity
44
Q

Types of Post Mortem Lividity

A
  1. Hypostatic Lividity
  2. Diffusion Lividity
45
Q

the complete dehydration of all body tissue which results in the shivering and preservation of the body. A cadaver left in an extremely dry, hot area will mummify in about a year and will remain in this condition for several years if undisturbed by animal or insect observed in warm countries where evaporation of body fluid takes place earlier and
faster than decomposition. Death in deserts, like in Egypt, the body has more tendency to mummify. observed in warm countries where evaporation of body fluid takes place earlier and
faster than decomposition. Death in deserts, like in Egypt, the body has more tendency to mummify.

A

Mummification

46
Q

The principles involved in artificial mummification are:
(a) Acceleration of the evaporation of the tissue fluid of the body before the actual onset of decomposition. (b) Addition of some body preservatives to inhibit decomposition and to allow evaporation of fluid. This is made by treatment of the body with arsenic, formalin, resinous or tarry materials.

A

(2) Artificial Mummification

47
Q

When a person is buried in hot, arid, sandy soil, there will be insufficient moisture for the growth and multiplication of putrefactive bacteria. The body will become dehydrated and mummified which is caused by the forces of nature.

A

1) Natural Mummification

48
Q

Kinds of mummification

A

1) Natural Mummification
(2) Artificial Mummification

49
Q

This is a condition wherein the fatty tissues of the body are transformed to soft brownish-white substance known as adipocere. The layer of subcutaneous tissue is the frequent site of its formation. Take Note: Adipocere is a soapy or waxy material, rancid in smell, dissolves in alcohol and ether when burned produces yellow flame. (Leal, 2014 & Lagonera, 2010)

A

b. Saponification or Adipocere Formation

50
Q

Special Modification of Putrefaction

A

a. Mummification
b. Saponification or Adipocere Formation

CDI 2 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions