Death

Question 1

Death confirmation

Answer 1

Check Resus preference
Wash hands
Confirm the identity of the patient
GI - skin colour, any obvious signs of life.
Respond to verbal stimuli
Does the patient respond to pain - fingernail and trapezius squeeze
Assesses pupillary reflexes using pen torch
Feel central pulse
Auscultation or HS for 2 min and Resp sounds for 3mins.
Assess for pacemaker
Wash hands
Document
Death confirmation

Question 2

Documentation

Answer 2

All findings on examination

Confirming death and time which you did so.

Question 3

Examination of death

Answer 3

No palpable carotid pulse and
• No heart sounds heard for 2 minutes and
• No breath sounds heard for 2 minutes and
• Fixed (non responsive to light) and dilated pupils and
• No response to centralised stimulus (e.g. trapezius muscle squeeze, supraorbital pressure,
mandibular pressure or the common sternal rub) and
• No motor (withdrawal) response or facial grimace in response to painful stimulus (e.g. pinching
inner aspect of the elbow)
Optional
• ECG strip shows no rhythm