Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Forensic Medicine > Death > Flashcards

Death Flashcards

1
Q

Give five scenarios where prolonged resuscitation is very worthwhile?

A
  1. Electrocution
  2. Drowning
  3. Overdose
  4. Hypothermia
  5. Children
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Commonest example of somatic/clinical death?

A

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

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

After primary cardiac arrest and during cerebral hypoxia, how long does it take to deprive the cortex and then brainstem?

A

Cortex 2-3 minutes

Brainstem >4 minutes

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

Can brain be destroyed by hypoglycaemia?

A

Yes

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

What three systems does brainstem control?

A

Consciousness (RAS)-reticular activating system
Respiratory centre
Vasomotor centre (BP)

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

What is necessary component for whole brain death?

A

Brainstem death:
innervation
spontaneous respiration
heartbeat

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

Cortical damage but brainstem is intact-spontaneous breathing and heartbeat?

A

Persistent Vegetative State

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

How long must PVS be going on for before diagnosis?

A

Greater than 6 months or 12 months

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

What does assessment of PVS include:

A

No spontaneous meaningful motor response inc voice
No language comprehension or expression
No sustained, reproducible, purposeful or voluntary behavioural response to normal or noxious visual, auditory or tactile stimulus

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

Is there moral dilema for BS death?

A

No - stop ventilating the corpse

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

When is someone legally dead?

A

When brainstem is destroyed

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

All sensory input from whole body travels through brainstem except what?

A

Smell and vision

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

What three CNs cannot be tested at bedside?

A

1, 11 and 12

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

Give three signs of brainstem activity?

A

Epileptic fit- cortical activity, motor nerves
Decorticate rigidity
Positive Doll’s eye reflex- eyes remain fixed on moving head

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

What are the 3 pre conditions for diagnosing BS death?

A
  1. Deeply comatose, requiring artifical ventilation
  2. Cause of coma unknown
  3. Reversible causes excluded: hypoxia, hypotension, SOL
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name some reversible causes that must be excluded for diagnosing brainstem death?

A
  1. Drugs
  2. Alcohol
  3. Hypothermia
  4. Diabetes/hypothyroidism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What cranial nerve tests must be done for diagnosing BS death?

A
  1. Pupils do not react to light (2,3)
  2. No corneal reflex (3,5,7)
  3. No nystagmus upon ear irrigation (3, 4, 6, 8)
  4. No grimace to pain (5, 7)
  5. No gag reflex (9, 10)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Explain the apnoea test.

A

100% oxygen for 10 minutes
5% CO2 for 5 minutes
Disconnect from ventilator for 10 minutes
Rising CO2 fails to stimulate spontaneous breath

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

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in the CNS?

A

4 minutes

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

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in the peripheral NS?

A

5 minutes

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

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in muscle?

A

3 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in blood cells?

A

6 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in the skin?

24
Q

Once circulation stops, how long does it take for cellular death in bone/cornea?

25
What causes cells to die and degenerate?
Autolysis- intracellular enzymes
26
What year was most recent human tissue act installed?
2004
27
Where does human tissue act 2004 apply to?
England and Wales- provisions relating to retention of material for DNA testing apply also to Scotland
28
“material that has come from a human body and consists of, or includes, human cells”
Human Tissue
29
Who is the only person who can retain tissue?
Coroner to establish cause of death
30
What does the HTA 2004 authorise museums to do?
Move human remains
31
What does the HTA 2004 do for transplantation?
Makes it lawful to preserve organs for transplant
32
What new offence did the HTA 2004 create?
DNA theft
33
What act regulates removal, storage and use of human tissue?
HTA 2004
34
What year was the Scottish HTA installed?
2006
35
What did the HTA 2006 do for the anatomy act?
Amended the AA 1984
36
What does the HTA 2006 have that 2004 english one doesnt?
Post mortem examination section: makes provision for authorisation of hospital PMs by adult or mature child while still alive
37
Give three purposes of death certificate?
1. Information 2. Disposal of body 3. Proof of death
38
Who can write death certificate in Scotland?
Any doctor who knows cause of death- need not attended in last illness or viewed body after death.
39
In Scotland how long is there to register a death?
7 days
40
Dr who attended during last illness (<14 d), OR Dr who attended regularly during last illness & has viewed body Dr seeing body for the first time may not certify Slip given to informant 5 days to register death
Death certification in England and Wales
41
Who is application for cremation issued by?
Funeral director
42
Who is application for cremation completed by?
Relative in charge
43
Who is medical certificate completed by?
``` Doctor who issued DC: Registered medical practitioner not related to decead no pecuniary interset must view body after death ```
44
Who completes a confirmatory medical certificate?
Doctor registered >5 years - not related to deceased - not colleague or relative of dr B form - must discuss with Dr B form - must be satisfied death is normal - must view body after death
45
What is form D
Issued by PF After investigation Replaces forms B and C
46
What is form E
Issued by registrar After PM instructed Replaces forms B and c
47
If coroner is involved in death what happens?
They replae all other processes with form E
48
What is autopsy rate in Scotland?
10%
49
Do you refer to PF if relatives refuse permission for hospital autopsy?
No
50
Do you refer outdoor deaths to PF?
Yes
51
Do you refer death during anaesthesia?
Yes
52
When is 2 doctor autopsy done?
Homicide Suspicious RTA
53
When is 1 doctor autopsy done?
Suicide Accident Natural
54
What deaths must PF report to crown office?
Suspicious, criminal, suicide, danger to public, medical mishap, FAI mandatory, or requested by family, death of police officer, death due to fireo r explosion
55
What is FAI mandatory under?
1976 Act- in employment or legal custody
56
``` Murder Manslaughter Infanticide Death by dangerous driving Suicide with abettment ``` What stops for these?
Coroners inquest

Forensic Medicine (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions