Post Mortem Flashcards
1
Q
What occurs prior to a PM
A
- Identification of deceased
- High/weight/BMI,
- Skin/hair colour/ eye colour
- Iatrogenic (Scars, drains or IV lines)
- Evidence of trauma,
- Evidence of disease
- Body cavities are examined
2
Q
What does a PM involve?
A
- Single incision from sternal notch to pubic symphysis to remove thoracic, abdominal and pelvic organs,
- Second incision is made around the posterior part of the skull to reflex the scalp
- The pathologist will inspect and dissect each organ and may retain a small sample of tissue for microscopic assessment
3
Q
What occurs at the end of a PM
A
- All of the organs are returned to body cavity
- Pathologist will write death certificate if one has not already been written
- Pathologist will then prepare a post mortem report. This can be sent to patient family, GP, clinician in charge.
- Patients body is then released
4
Q
What are the most common causes of death in scotland?
A
- Malignancy of bronchus and lung,
- Acute MI.
- COPD.
- IHD,
- Dementia
- Other degrative neuro diseases
- Vascular dementia
