helps nurses to care dead body...

1. MANDIRA DAHAL

2. Death
Death is a irreversible cessation of circulatory, respiratory
function or the irreversible cessation of all functions of
the entire brain, including the brainstem.
Signs of Death
 Absence of heartbeat and respirations.
 Fixed pupils
 Skin color turns to a waxen pallor and extremities
may darken.
 Body temperatures drops
 Muscles and sphincters relax, sometimes resulting in
release of stool or urine

3. PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES AFTER DEATH
1. Rigor mortis
Stiffening of the body that occurs about 2-4hrs after
death.
Results from a lack of ATP, which causes the muscles to
contract, which in turn immobilize the joints
It starts in the involuntary muscles( heart, bladder) then
progress to head, neck, trunk , extremities.
2.Algor mortis
Gradual decrease of the body temperature after death.
When blood circulation terminates and hypothalamus
ceases to function , body temperature falls down.

4. 3.Livor mortis
Discoloration of body after death.
After blood circulation has ceased , the RBC broken
down , - leads to discoloration of surrounding tissues
4. Decomposition
Tissues after death become soft and eventually liquified
by bacterial fermentation .
The hotter the temperature, the more rapid the change.
So bodies are stored in cool places / embalming

5. Purpose of dead body care
1. To prepare the body for the morgue.
2. To prevent discoloration or deformity of the body.
3. To protect the body from post mortem
discharge.
DEAD BODY CARE
After death the body undergoes many physical
changes. So care must be provided as early to prevent
tissue damage /disfigurement of body parts.

6. PROCEDURES
Care of dead body ,often depends upon the customs and
religious beliefs.
Nurses provide dignity and sensitivity to the client and family
1. Check orders for any specimens
2. Ask for special requests to family (eg: shaving , a special
gown , Bible in hand )
3. Remove all equipments , tubes , supplies and dirty linens.
4. Cleanse the body thoroughly , apply clean sheets
5. Brush and comb the hairs
6. The eyelids are closed and held in place for a few seconds ,
so they remain closed.
7. Dentures should be in the mouth to maintain facial
alignment.

7. 8. Mouth should be closed.
9. Remove all the ornaments.
10. Absorbent pads are placed under the buttocks to take up
any feaces and urine released because of muscle sphincter
relaxation
11. All the orifices should be closed.
12. Cover with a clean sheet up to the chin.
13. Spray a deodorizer to remove unpleasant odor.
14. Apply name tag ( wrist , right big toe)
15. Allow the family members to view the dead body
16. The body is wrapped in a large piece or plastic
or cotton material used to enclose a body after death.
Identification is then applied outside of the wrapper.

8. 17. Hand over all the belongings to the relatives.
18. Do complete documentation in the nursing notes.
Time of death and actions taken to prevent the death.
Who pronounced the death.
Any organ donation
Personal articles left on the body
Personal items given to family
Time of discharge and destination of the body
Location of name tags on the body
Special request by family
19. Hand over the dead body to the relatives / sent to the
mortuary.

9. THANK YOU
!