Post Mortem Care

Question 1

which can be provided in the home and in health care facilities,
involves caring for a deceased patient’s body with sensitivity and in a manner that is consistent
with the patient’s religious or cultural beliefs.

Answer 1

Postmortem care,

Question 2

(relaxation of the facial muscles, difficulty speaking,
difficulty swallowing, gradual loss of the gag reflex, decreased activity of the
gastrointestinal tract, possible urinary and rectal incontinence, diminished body
movement);

Answer 2

 Loss of muscle tone

Question 3

(diminished sensation, mottling and cyanosis of the
extremities, cold skin, slower and weaker pulse, decreased blood pressure);

Answer 3

 Slowing of the circulation

Question 4

(rapid, shallow, irregular or abnormally slow
respirations, noisy breathing, mouth breathing, dry oral mucous membranes); and

Answer 4

Changes in respiration

Question 5

(blurred vision, impaired sense of taste and smell).

Answer 5

Sensory impairment

Question 6

are cessation of the apical pulse, respirations,
and blood pressure

Answer 6

traditional clinical signs of death

Question 7

In 1968, the ____________________ adopted the following guidelines for health care
providers as indications of death:

NCM 103: Fundamentals of Nursing USI Vincentian Learning Module

Skills Module 12: Postmortem Care Page 2

 Total lack of response to external stimuli;
 No muscular movement, especially during breathing;
 No reflexes; and
 A flat encephalogram (brain waves).

Answer 7

World Medical Assembly

Question 8

is cerebral death or higher brain death, which occurs when
the higher brain center, the cerebral cortex, is irreversibly destroyed. In this case, there
is “a clinical syndrome characterized by the permanent loss of cerebral and brainstem
function, manifested by absence of responsiveness to external stimuli, absence of cephalic
reflexes, and apnea. An isoelectric electroencephalogram for at least 30 minutes in the
absence of hypothermia and poisoning by central nervous system depressants supports
the diagnosis”

Answer 8

Another definition of death is

Question 9

TRUE OR FALSE Nurses need to ensure that the client is treated with dignity, that is, with honor and
respect. Helping clients die with dignity

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

Some choices that clients can make are the

Answer 10

location of care, times of appointments
with health professionals, activity schedule, use of health resources, and times
of visits from relatives and friends.

Question 11

a medical examination of dead body in order to find out the cause of
death.

Answer 11

autopsy

Question 12

A person trained in case of the dead.

Answer 12

Mortician/undertaker:

Question 13

A large piece or cotton material used to enclose a body after death.

Answer 13

o Shroud:

Question 14

Stiffening of body 2–4 hours after death

Answer 14

o Rigor mortis:

Question 15

Decrease of body temperature

Answer 15

Algor mortis:

Question 16

Discoloration in dependent areas

Answer 16

Livor mortis:

Question 17

The nurse collects data in accordance with desired outcomes.
 Listen to client’s reports of feeling in control of the environment surrounding death
 Observe client’s relationships
 Listen to client’s thoughts, feelings related to hopelessness, powerlessness

Answer 17

Evaluation

Question 18

Body is free of new skin damage.
 Significant others provided the opportunity to express grief.

Answer 18

Expected Outcomes

Question 19

 A family member or significant other is immobilized by grief and has difficulty functioning.
 A grieving person is agitated and threatens to strike out or strikes out against others.
 Lacerations, bruises, or abrasions are noted on the body. Positioning or preparation of the
body results in skin injury.

Answer 19

Unexpected Outcomes

Question 20

 Arrange for family members, especially parents, to be with the child throughout the
dying process and at the time of death, if they wish.
 Allow family members to hold their child’s body after death.
Make every effort to honor family members’ requests per the organization’s practice.
Family members of deceased newborns may want a memento of their infant (picture,
article of clothing, footprint, or lock of hair).

Answer 20

PEDIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS

Question 21

Consider that some older adults have small families and small circles of surviving
friends. Health care team members may be the only human presence during death.
 Arrange for someone to be with the person when death is imminent.

Answer 21

OLDER ADULT CONSIDERATIONS

Question 22

 Consider the type of support family members need at the time of death and assist
with arrangements.
 After death in the home setting, follow the organization’s practice for body preparation
and transfer and for disposal of durable medical equipment (e.g., tubing, needles, and
syringes), soiled dressings or linens, and medications.
 Instruct family members regarding safe and proper handling and disposal of medical
waste.

Answer 22

HOME CARE CONSIDERATIONS

Question 23

People prefer a quiet place for death. Incense may be used. When
the person has died, cover the body with a cotton sheet. Leave the deceased’s
mouth and eyes open. Others should not touch the body. Maintain strict silence
after death. Autopsy and organ donation are permitted.

Answer 23

 Buddhism.

Question 24

denominations have varying practices at time of death.
Bible texts may be read near or at the time of death. Protestants receive the
sacraments of Holy Communion or sometimes baptism. Roman Catholics often
request sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion at the
end of life. Many Christian groups offer prayers and anointing and view death as
“going home” to Jesus. There are no prescribed rituals for body preparation, and
in most cases, autopsy and organ donation are usually permissible.

Answer 24

Christianity.

Question 25

People prefer to die at home or in a quiet setting. Because of a belief
in reincarnation, efforts are made to resolve relationships before death. The head
of a person nearing death should face the east with a lamp placed near the head.
If the dying person is unable to chant his mantra, a family member can chant it
into the right ear. Passages from Bhagavad Gita are recited. Family members
prefer to wash the body after death and are present to chant, pray, and use
incense. Hindus prefer cremation of the body.

Answer 25

 Hinduism.

Question 26

reader recites verses from the Qur’an when the person is near
death. Family members prepare the body, and non-Muslims should not touch it.
The person’s eyes should be closed after death and the arms and legs
straightened. Autopsy organ donation is generally not permissible, except as
required by law.

Answer 26

Islam.

Question 27

Deathbed confessional, blessings, and readings from the Torah are
traditional in . A family member remains with the body until
burial, which takes place within 24 hours, not on the Sabbath. A family member
closes the deceased’s eyes on death. Synagogue burial societies may prepare the
body, which is wrapped in white linen. Organ donation prohibitions may exist in Orthodox Judaism, but not for all Jews. Autopsies may be considered if organs are
not removed.

Answer 27

Judaism

Question 28

TRUE OR FALSE How an individual deals with loss is closely related to the individual’s age, culture, spiritual
beliefs, gender, socioeconomic status, support systems, and the significance and cause of
the loss or death.

Answer 28

TRUE

Question 29

TRUE OR FALSE Caring for the dying and the bereaved is one of the nurse’s most complex and challenging
responsibilities.

Answer 29

TRUE

Question 30

TRUE OR FALSE Dying clients require open communication, physical help, and emotional and spiritual
support to ensure a peaceful and dignified death. They need to maintain a sense of control
in managing the events preceding death.

Answer 30

TRUE